espouse

American  

[ih-spouz, ih-spous] / ɪˈspaʊz, ɪˈspaʊs /

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.

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espouse British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• espouser noun

Etymology

Origin of espouse

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

Example Sentences

He added: "Anyone espousing extremist views or who expresses support for terrorism, or racial or religious hatred of any kind, including antisemitism, who is not a British citizen, should be removed from this country."

From BBC

He became frustrated by the policy of peaceful resistance to Belgrade's repression of ethnic Albanians espoused by the late Kosovo president Ibrahim Rugova.

From Barron's

You may find yourself pantomiming with one of your feet to your children in the persona of “Mr. Stinkyfoot,” a somewhat boorish Frenchman who espouses the importance of cleanliness and the needs for a bath.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. King espouses a refreshing perspective on his craft that is anything but preachy.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Bin Salman first came to prominence as Saudi defense minister in 2015, he espoused a pugilistic foreign policy that saw him launch the unsuccessful offensive on the Houthis and kidnap Lebanon’s prime minister.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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