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

Durov, who almost always wears black—except when posing for shirtless photos with six-pack abs—espouses a libertarian view of the world, rejecting alignment with states and centralized power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Just when we get to a point where conspiracy theorizing dies down a bit, here comes Kim Kardashian espousing moon landing speculation.

From Salon

He meant that on any policy debate—immigration restrictions, social matters, foreign policy, economics—the Christian Democrats should create room for politicians and voters to espouse the most conservative position.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite their past wariness of crypto, banks have long espoused the potential of the blockchain technology that underpins digital currencies to streamline their businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Japan Innovation Party espouses free-market ideas including lower taxes and deregulation, which if implemented could further jolt the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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