Showing Results for "espoused"

See Also:

• past tense form of espouse.
• past participle of espouse.

espoused

American  

[ih-spouzd, -spousd] / ɪˈspaʊzd, -ˈspaʊsd /

adjective

1. embraced or adopted, as an idea, principle, or cause.

   There was an immediate negative reaction to his clearly espoused beliefs on the subject.

2. Archaic. married.

   Once while I was in medical school, my recently espoused wife was persuaded to come and see me do a post-mortem.

3. Archaic. engaged or betrothed.

   Espoused couples desiring to be married by the Ministerial Staff are required to complete the six-week preparation course.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of espouse.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unespoused
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of espoused

espouse ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Leadership changes at the Fed, meanwhile, suggest a new method for tackling inflation espoused by new Chair nominee Kevin Warsh that is taking long-dated U.S.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Stanley espoused an evangelical capitalism that focused on its employees’ personal growth; it recommended salespeople read Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

Although his time as first minister was short, one of the stand-out causes he espoused was that of the Palestinian people.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

Ignatius lumbered over to the picket fence, abandoning the hopeless cause espoused by the wagon, and viewed the oil paintings and pastels and watercolors strung there.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• marital