espouse

[ ih-spouz, ih-spous ]

verb (used with object)

, es·poused, es·pous·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

We have sent our young to fight espousing these values, but we send them off to countries most Americans couldn’t locate on a map, and few really care about.

From Time

This, she said, was a walking back of the “facial freedom” the administration had previously espoused.

From Washington Post

Duterte has recently started espousing vaccinations as the country’s way out of the crisis, but its inoculation program didn’t begin until March, using donated CoronaVac jabs from China.

From Time

Professors probably will start to “play it down the middle,” he said, and not address controversial viewpoints for fear of being accused of espousing them.

From Washington Post

The constitution’s framework still espouses gender-based discrimination, particularly surrounding citizenship.

From Ozy

While these entities may find common cause in the act of sanctioning, they often espouse different goals.

From The Daily Beast

Some espouse deaf culture as the better, more natural, way of life.

From The Daily Beast

Meyerson is clearly perplexed by politicians who not only espouse principles but act according to them.

From The Daily Beast

The right loves to bash New York's Citi Bike system, but bike share embodies the privatized, self-reliant ideals they espouse.

From The Daily Beast

Instead I am going to write about the more interesting aspects of games: what sort of politics do they espouse?

From The Daily Beast

This is the time when he was in correspondence with Modeste Mignon and wished to espouse that rich heiress.

From Project Gutenberg

He regretted that she should espouse the cause of this foreigner.

From Project Gutenberg

He was to proceed to France, espouse the bride in the king's name, and convey her to England.

From Project Gutenberg

The birds at length espouse his cause, assemble their forces, and bear him as their commander above the sky.

From Project Gutenberg

Catharine first wrote that Anjou "condescended" to marry Elizabeth; presently, that "he desired infinitely to espouse her."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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