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 Lee, a liberal who espouses improved ties with North Korea, did not specifically comment on the threats posed by the North. —

ABC News, 25 May 2026 The encyclical rejects two philosophies espoused by some in Silicon Valley—transhumanism and posthumanism—that see technology as a means to augment or perfect people. —

Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026 The Times has reviewed those writings, which espoused hate toward Muslims, Jews, Black people, Latinos and the LGBTQ+ community. —

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026 The 75-page document has sections apparently written by Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, and includes material that espouses anti-Islamic, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ views and promotes white supremacist ideology. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

The film often feels like a series of first takes that could have used more polishing to really hit, and Shankman only occasionally marries the spoof approach with quick, sharp filmmaking.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 9 June 2026
That’s the only thing anybody really knows for sure, considering how little information about their impending nuptials is out there, other than the fact that Swift and Kelce are indeed getting married… at some point… somewhere.

— Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 9 June 2026