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

Derived Forms

• esˈpouser, noun

Other Word Forms

• es·pous·er 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

But, in a judgment on Monday, she said "all relevant evidence" to determine whether or not Mr Hancock "genuinely espoused the opinion he expressed" in the post was not available.

From BBC

There’s a throughline between the girl power you espoused as part of the Spice Girls and now in writing this story about a powerful young girl for a whole new generation.

From Los Angeles Times

Janice, who is unwilling or unable to open up, is not nearly as needy as her spouse, who starts espousing biblical platitudes with the desperate certainty of a drowning man grateful for any life raft.

From Los Angeles Times

I think of all this with my thoughts punctuated by the grim onslaught of transphobic — and broadly queerphobic — legislation promised to be delivered from Congress and the cultural vitriol espoused by our nation’s sitting president.

From Salon

The day the United States loses the ability to deport noncitizens who espouse such toxic beliefs is the day the United States ceases to be a sovereign nation-state.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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