espouse

[ih-spouz, ih-spous]

verb (used with object)

espoused, espousing 

1. to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.

   Synonyms: advocate, champion, support

2. Archaic.,  to marry.

3. Archaic.,  to give or promise to give (a woman) in marriage.

espouse

/ ɪˈspaʊz /

verb

1. to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc)

   to espouse socialism

2. archaic,  (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry

Other Word Forms

• espouser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of espouse¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French espouser , from Latin spōnsāre “to betroth, espouse”

Word History and Origins

Origin of espouse¹

C15: from Old French espouser, from Latin spōnsāre to affiance, espouse

Example Sentences

Here she takes aim at influencers espousing wellness for likes, their followers and the whole industry of commodifying belief.

From Los Angeles Times

Her philosophy, while shocking to a busload of Baptist female college teachers, is one Williams himself might have espoused after a couple of Negronis.

From Los Angeles Times

But Borysenko, whose exclusive coverage of the event immediately preceded Alter’s firing, has herself repeatedly espoused extreme rhetoric on social media, even publicly embracing “fascism” and revisionist histories of Nazi Germany.

From Salon

Militant activists who identify with Antifa have espoused an uncompromising philosophy of zero tolerance for fascists.

From Los Angeles Times

Capitol — all violent incidents carried out by people who espoused right-wing political values.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adopt 
• advocate 
• defend 
• embrace 
• maintain 
• uphold