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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 is a liberal who espouses improved ties with North Korea. — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 But last year Sa’ar instructed Israeli diplomats to set up channels to France’s National Rally, Spain’s ultranationalist Vox party, and the far-right Sweden Democrats—all of which espouse virulently Islamophobic platforms. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 In these moments and others, HOTD has sometimes espoused a form of gender essentialism that suggests Rhaenyra and Alicent are both inherently kinder and better than the men around them. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 It is often espoused in this newsletter that virtually every starting pitcher in the major leagues is capable of the kind of excellence Bratt exhibited. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

Or if leadership got seduced by silhouette, movement and atmosphere, neglecting to marry the galleries to the overall concept.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
This incident continued to come up all season, dividing the group and inflaming the relationship between the Bookos and married couple Janet and Jason Caperna.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of marry

Verb

Several states adopted Labor Day as a holiday, with Oregon leading the way in 1887.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Because solutions are designed with model-agnostic architecture, organizations can adopt future AI innovations without rebuilding their underlying systems.

— Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

With Howe stepping down and Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old German, replacing him, and with plans finally revealed for a new £190m training ground, Newcastle have embraced the shock of the new.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Pool companies, professionals and builders can embrace this consumer shift and provide an all-encompassing experience that defines what pool ownership will look like going forward.

— Jon Viner, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of embrace

Verb

Historically, the Grand Sport has borrowed its design characteristics from the range-topping Z06, and that’s no different this time around.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Large tech firms are also borrowing heavily to build out the data centers powering AI.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of borrow

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espoused

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“Espouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espouse. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of espouse

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