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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of espouse
Surely those who espouse the benefits of manifesting had to be onto something.
—
Miriam Finder Annenberg, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
But when families of gun violence victims, lawmakers, and advocacy groups asked the FTC in 2022, during Biden’s term, to investigate how firearms were marketed to children, people of color, and groups that espouse white supremacy, officials did not announce any public action.
—Fred Clasen-Kelly, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Both espouse biblical literalist beliefs, such as that God created the universe in six literal days.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 8 Dec. 2025
In short, the United States is now working with an Israeli government that does not espouse democratic values, shows no interest in a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and often does not reciprocate the American commitment to preserving the health of the bilateral relationship.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for espouse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse
Verb
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The two were married for seven years and share a 6-year-old son, Shams.—
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The spouses married five years after striking up a conversation during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to W Magazine.—
Verb
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Resolutions are adopted at the organization’s annual convention each year.—
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Days later, Reagan and his then-wife, Oscar-winning Jane Wyman, adopted him.—
Verb
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For You Page fueling the resurgence—celebrities of all ages have eagerly embraced the trend, too.—
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McKenzie and Sebastian's decision to embrace the unexpected made their wedding even better when an opposite reaction to the rain could have ruined the whole celebration.—
Verb
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Think of it like borrowing money from your pain-in-the-butt relative who will always want something back in return.—
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The new federal loan limits, which are enshrined in the GOP legislation signed by Trump on July 4, cap the amount professional degree students can borrow at $50,000 a year, up to a maximum of $200,000 — well below the average cost of a four-year medical school education.—
Cite this Entry
“Espouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espouse. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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