espouse
Americanverb
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to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc)
to espouse socialism
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archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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espousesimple
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espousessimple
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have espousedperfect
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has espousedperfect
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are espousingprogressive
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am espousingprogressive
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is espousingprogressive
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have been espousingperfect progressive
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has been espousingperfect progressive
Past
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espousedsimple
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had espousedperfect
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was espousingprogressive
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were espousingprogressive
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had been espousingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of espouse
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French espouser , from Latin spōnsāre “to betroth, espouse”
Explanation
Use the verb espouse to describe the actions of someone who lives according to specific beliefs, such as your friends who espouse environmentalism and as a result walk whenever possible instead of taking the car. You can see the word spouse in espouse, so you may be wondering what husbands and wives have to do with it. Originally espouse did mean "to marry," but its meaning has evolved to include other long-term commitments as well, such as support for a principle or a cause. Similar to marriage, if you espouse a belief system, the idea is that you've chosen to wed yourself to it.
Vocabulary lists containing espouse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Espouse Corinne!" interrupted the Count, bursting out laughing, "truly that idea never occurred to me!
From Corinne, Volume 1 (of 2) Or Italy by Greig, R. S.
Daughter, as Rhomeo here present hath certified me, you be agreed, and contented to take him to husband, and he likewise you for his Espouse and Wyfe.
From The Palace of Pleasure Volume 3 by Painter, William
Verily now 'twere right That you should each a noble Moabite Espouse, till, with another's love accost, Your childless grief in motherhood be lost.
From A Celtic Psaltery by Graves, Alfred Perceval
Espouse, es-powz′, v.t. to give in marriage: to take as spouse: to wed: to take with a view to maintain: to embrace, as a cause.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
