ESPOUSE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'espouse' differ from other similar words?

The words adopt and embrace are common synonyms of espouse . While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes. // espoused the cause of women's rights

Q: In what contexts can 'adopt' take the place of 'espouse'?

The words adopt and espouse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature. // forced to adopt new policies

Q: When might 'embrace' be a better fit than 'espouse'?

The synonyms embrace and espouse are sometimes interchangeable, but embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance. // embraced the customs of their new homeland

espouse

verb

i-ˈspau̇z

Definition of espouse next

as in to marry

to give in marriage a couple eager to espouse their eldest daughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to propose

to take as a spouse heeded his father's advice to espouse someone with whom he had common interests

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to adopt

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) after working among them for two years in the Peace Corps, she felt compelled to espouse the peasants' cause for social justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb espouse differ from other similar words?

The words adopt and embrace are common synonyms of espouse. While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes.

espoused the cause of women's rights

In what contexts can adopt take the place of espouse?

The words adopt and espouse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature.

forced to adopt new policies

When might embrace be a better fit than espouse?

The synonyms embrace and espouse are sometimes interchangeable, but embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance.

embraced the customs of their new homeland

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of espouse The messaging from Kennedy and his MAHA supporters espouse the health benefits of time spent outdoors and adequate sunlight, but that's altogether different than indoor tanning, says Susan Mayne, an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Public Health and a former FDA official. —

Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026 Next, Hathaway espoused the importance of hair and makeup to the crowd before asking Wintour to once again reveal the nominees. —

Sam Reed, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026 Every serious TikToker, Twitch streamer, YouTuber, podcaster, and X account has by now observed that a sure way to spike engagement is either to espouse anti-Jewish views yourself, or platform those who do. —

David Frum, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 Overall, the study participants who saw the biased AI text shifted their positions toward those espoused by the AI. —

Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

After stepping away from restaurant life and marrying in 2022, the couple didn’t expect to return to the industry.

— Evan Moore April 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
The pair married in 2007 and eventually welcomed two sons, Alastair Wallace and Aiden Patrick.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026