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

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 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 While allowed, there is no reason for WNBA games to be the site of demonstrations that espouse anything but inclusion. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for espouse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for espouse

Verb

This is an easy entry point to discuss decision-making and risk calculus and how to properly marry playmaking artistry with situational awareness, all big-picture topics that will help shape the Bears’ season.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Hayley Dylan is seeking unspecified economic and non-economic damages from Scott, who was 26 and married at the time of the encounter.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of marry

Verb

Audiences embraced the films for their creeping realism and slow-building scares, which transformed ordinary bedrooms, hallways and home security cameras into places where something terrifying might be lurking just outside the frame.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Nestled in nature, each of the 36 guest rooms embraces local craftsmanship with wood furnishings; soft lighting has a calming effect.

— Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of embrace

Verb

The shadow default rate measures the percentage of cases where the terms of their loans are changed after the money has been borrowed, usually because the borrowing company has run into trouble.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Students in qualifying professional degree programs, such as law and medicine, can borrow up to $50,000 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, while other graduate students are generally limited to $20,500 per year.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 27 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of espouse

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