1
as in marrying
to give in marriage
a couple eager to espouse their eldest daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in proposing
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
3
as in adopting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of espousing
The mom recalls her as a former student espousing a radical totalitarian ideology, and the new girlfriend begins to build a powerful following, tearing apart the family from within.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Hyde’s big-hearted story about the LGBTQ+ community arrived just as a new American president was espousing anti-trans rhetoric from the Oval Office.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The tension in boys flag football About seven miles away from where the Lick-Wilderming boys are running routes and espousing the value of flag football, the NFL prepares for the inaugural Super Bowl-week Pro Bowl.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The potency of the story is in how Felder, now 58, looks back on the totality of his life as an older gent, espousing wisdom that comes with age and self-interrogation.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Eric Berg With a doctor of chiropractic degree on his resume, Eric Berg entered the public spotlight after espousing the life-affirming benefits of the keto diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen that a 2024 NIH study review warns against maintaining long-term without medical supervision.
—Alexa Lee, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Publicly, the livestreamer has described himself as a Christian nationalist, espousing anti-LGBTQ, anti-feminist, misogynist views while calling out Kirk’s conservative organization, Turning Point USA, for not taking enough of a hard line.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
Epting is accused in the defamation suit of framing a social media post of the former punter’s as espousing violence, which Kluwe denied.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Vance was also at the forefront of a push to rehire Department of Government Efficiency staffer Marko Elez, who resigned after his past social media posts espousing racist sentiments were exposed.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Oct. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Hyde’s big-hearted story about the LGBTQ+ community arrived just as a new American president was espousing anti-trans rhetoric from the Oval Office.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The tension in boys flag football About seven miles away from where the Lick-Wilderming boys are running routes and espousing the value of flag football, the NFL prepares for the inaugural Super Bowl-week Pro Bowl.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The potency of the story is in how Felder, now 58, looks back on the totality of his life as an older gent, espousing wisdom that comes with age and self-interrogation.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Eric Berg With a doctor of chiropractic degree on his resume, Eric Berg entered the public spotlight after espousing the life-affirming benefits of the keto diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen that a 2024 NIH study review warns against maintaining long-term without medical supervision.
—Alexa Lee, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
Publicly, the livestreamer has described himself as a Christian nationalist, espousing anti-LGBTQ, anti-feminist, misogynist views while calling out Kirk’s conservative organization, Turning Point USA, for not taking enough of a hard line.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
Epting is accused in the defamation suit of framing a social media post of the former punter’s as espousing violence, which Kluwe denied.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Vance was also at the forefront of a push to rehire Department of Government Efficiency staffer Marko Elez, who resigned after his past social media posts espousing racist sentiments were exposed.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousing
Verb
-
Despite marrying young and starting her family, Huerta began working with the Community Service Organization, a grassroots group that fought to better the lives of Latinos across California.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Despite never marrying or having children, Henry could see the potential the market in children’s toys held.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Individuals interested in adopting are encouraged to visit the shelter at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood, Maryland.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Secrets triumphs two to one despite Bannon adopting her own dirty tricks.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With passionate fans, rising stars, and a city embracing the spotlight, March Madness in Sacramento is delivering exactly what its name promises.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The biggest switch was embracing a long putter after his traditional one produced a five-putt hole.—
Jay Paris,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mahan’s plan also outlines a framework for evaluating and enforcing accountability, borrowing certain ideas from policies adopted in other states.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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The utility business model involves borrowing substantial sums to invest in systems and later recovering costs from customers.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Espousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousing. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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