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

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 And fortuitously, Napalm Death, who played a 19-minute set, espouse the same lefty politics as NPR, in fact maybe even a little more leftist, all things considered, since Barney Greenway wore a Crass T-shirt to the gig. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026 The whole point of originalism, as espoused by the late Justice Antonin Scalia and (in theory) the court’s current conservatives, is that the meaning of the Constitution depends on what the public thought its words meant when it was ratified. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 The Majestic espouses a traditional luxury hotel style without feeling stuffy or pretentious. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026 The group espouses white nationalist and white supremacist ideology, advocating the creation of a white ethnostate and opposing multiculturalism. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

Lindsey Graham never married and had a close relationship with his sister.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Kelce and Swift married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden in an emotional ceremony officiated by Adam Sandler.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of marry

Verb

Whether leaders ultimately embrace all of Ries' conclusions or not, his larger message deserves careful consideration.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
With its fourth chapter, Reacher goes full neo-noir, embracing the genre’s fatalistic, gloomy approach while staying true to its action roots.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of embrace

Verb

The party responsible for repayment generally depends on when the debt was incurred, who borrowed the money, the type of account and applicable state law.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The overall product is called Dynamic Stability Assist (DSA), kind of borrowed that from the car industry.

— Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrow

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espousals

espouse

espoused

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“Espouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espouse. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of espouse

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