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 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
Both are confident, charismatic personalities who are comfortable espousing ideas that spark controversy, even within their own parties.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 12 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
At the time of his death, Kirk had developed a following of millions online, espousing socially conservative Christian beliefs.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
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
Both are confident, charismatic personalities who are comfortable espousing ideas that spark controversy, even within their own parties.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 12 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
At the time of his death, Kirk had developed a following of millions online, espousing socially conservative Christian beliefs.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousing
Verb
-
Lilibet thus appears to be taking after her grandmother, who was a frequent visitor to the National Ballet in London and who famously took secret dance lessons after marrying into the British royal family.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Stranger Things star celebrated Valentine's Day on Saturday by marrying her musician fiancé in an intimate wedding, surrounded by family and friends.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages.—
Mathew Miranda
February 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The property tax rate and adopting the annual budget are among the County Commission’s most important responsibilities.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The couple—who got engaged last summer—stepped out for the 2026 Berlinale Film Festival last night; this time, looking equally loved up but embracing complete polar-opposite fashions.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Long before viewers began embracing the footage, however, organizers needed athletes to get on board, with Exarchos calling their safety his top priority.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Strong demand for dollars gives the US more influence in borrowing money overseas at low rates and imposing sanctions on other nations.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Espousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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