verb
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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
- 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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Campaigning in the Wisconsin primary in Milwaukee one morning, I heard Carter espouse one position on school busing that seemed to please a predominately Black church congregation.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024
From place to place he went, wherever there was need of some brave champion to espouse a weak ones cause.
From The Jester's Sword How Aldebaran, the King's Son Wore the Sheathed Sword of Conquest by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)
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.
