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

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Under the First Amendment framework that California espouses, there is no limiting principle to what government could require businesses to disclose or forbid them from speaking on.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the past, Musk has espoused paying penalties rather than waiting for approvals as a way of doing business.

Read more on Salon

“Boots” espouses a determinist philosophy meant to inspire the types of people Hegseth wants to scrub from the U.S. military or bar from serving.

Read more on Salon

In her Friday letter, MIT’s Kornbluth said the school already does much of what the compact requests, including rewarding merit by mandating college entrance exams and espousing free expression.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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