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.

---

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

---

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”

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.

Example Sentences

Claude itself admitted, in a recent interaction with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that even AI companies that espouse a moral commitment to something like privacy shouldn’t necessarily be trusted.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

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 • Nov. 6, 2025

Although government lawyers who espouse such theories should not be, on those grounds, subject to professional discipline, they can—and, I think, should—generally be shunned by the profession.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025

"This is wholly unacceptable and does not align with the values and behaviours that we espouse or endorse as a service," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2025

For a time they may believe in "broad-mindedness" and under the terrific social pressure that has been set up in its favor they will openly espouse it.

From The International Jew The World's Foremost Problem by Ford, Henry

Related Words

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