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
And repetition – espousing the same ideas again and again – was an effective tactic.
—
Yu-Ru Lin, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
The casting has always managed to feel diverse, but in a guileless, incidental way, giving the appearance of multicultural inclusion without espousing any explicitly progressive viewpoints.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Campa-Najjar’s journey from espousing progressive positions to conservative ones and back again has required him to do a lot of explaining in recent years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
However, the two political figures have also found common ground on the issue of affordability, with the president espousing a surprisingly positive tone about the mayor during the pair’s first Oval Office meeting last November.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Presumably, this presented Hulu with its clearest, cleanest path to finally getting past the Whedon mess that had cast a shadow over the franchise espousing female empowerment.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
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, 27 Mar. 2026
Here’s Bianco on social media not long ago, once again definitely not espousing partisan voter conspiracies.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Yu-Ru Lin, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
The casting has always managed to feel diverse, but in a guileless, incidental way, giving the appearance of multicultural inclusion without espousing any explicitly progressive viewpoints.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Campa-Najjar’s journey from espousing progressive positions to conservative ones and back again has required him to do a lot of explaining in recent years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
However, the two political figures have also found common ground on the issue of affordability, with the president espousing a surprisingly positive tone about the mayor during the pair’s first Oval Office meeting last November.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Presumably, this presented Hulu with its clearest, cleanest path to finally getting past the Whedon mess that had cast a shadow over the franchise espousing female empowerment.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
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, 27 Mar. 2026
Here’s Bianco on social media not long ago, once again definitely not espousing partisan voter conspiracies.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousing
Verb
-
This delicate piece features embroidery that recreates hair tentacles, like a macabre bride marrying the natural world to Surrealism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The couple has been together for nearly two decades, first meeting in 2007 before marrying in 2009.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Oliver Wyman survey results build on findings from a Harvard University study showing that firms adopting generative AI have significantly reduced junior-level positions, while keeping senior employment largely stable.—
Victor Swezey,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
First, consider adopting small gestures of gratitude.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Across Florida and throughout the country, behavioral-health providers are increasingly embracing approaches that focus on the whole person and the whole family.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Hirokazu Koreeda brings his customary warmth and generosity of spirit to the seemingly cold presence of GenAI in our lives in Sheep in the Box (Hako no naka no hitsuji), in which grieving parents hope to ease their pain by embracing a humanoid built in their dead son’s image.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The risk is not borrowing costs but bad loans to zombie firms.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
That said, home equity loan interest rates are fixed and won't change even if the rate climate does, which could be favorable for those concerned about borrowing against their home equity (the home functions as collateral).—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Espousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousing. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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