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.

---

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

Here, punk bands truly espoused the music’s DIY ethos, and were more culturally diverse.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

He has also espoused a more collegiate style of governance, delegating some particularly sensitive topics to his senior clergy.

From Barron's • May 6, 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

They felt it epitomised the philosophy they have espoused for their intra-team competition between the drivers.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

Apparently, Bobby didn’t see the discrepancy between the gentle acceptance espoused by the song and poem, and his growing philosophy of exclusivity, which rejected all people who didn’t believe as he did.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• marital