1
as in marrying
to give in marriage
a couple eager to espouse their eldest daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in proposing
to take as a spouse
heeded his father's advice to espouse someone with whom he had common interests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adopting
to take for one's own use (something originated by another)
after working among them for two years in the Peace Corps, she felt compelled to espouse the peasants' cause for social justice
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of espousing
Campa-Najjar’s journey from espousing progressive positions to conservative ones and back again has required him to do a lot of explaining in recent years.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
However, the two political figures have also found common ground on the issue of affordability, with the president espousing a surprisingly positive tone about the mayor during the pair’s first Oval Office meeting last November.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Presumably, this presented Hulu with its clearest, cleanest path to finally getting past the Whedon mess that had cast a shadow over the franchise espousing female empowerment.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
The mom recalls her as a former student espousing a radical totalitarian ideology, and the new girlfriend begins to build a powerful following, tearing apart the family from within.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Here’s Bianco on social media not long ago, once again definitely not espousing partisan voter conspiracies.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Hyde’s big-hearted story about the LGBTQ+ community arrived just as a new American president was espousing anti-trans rhetoric from the Oval Office.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The tension in boys flag football About seven miles away from where the Lick-Wilderming boys are running routes and espousing the value of flag football, the NFL prepares for the inaugural Super Bowl-week Pro Bowl.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
However, the two political figures have also found common ground on the issue of affordability, with the president espousing a surprisingly positive tone about the mayor during the pair’s first Oval Office meeting last November.
—Sarah Davis, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Presumably, this presented Hulu with its clearest, cleanest path to finally getting past the Whedon mess that had cast a shadow over the franchise espousing female empowerment.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
The mom recalls her as a former student espousing a radical totalitarian ideology, and the new girlfriend begins to build a powerful following, tearing apart the family from within.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Here’s Bianco on social media not long ago, once again definitely not espousing partisan voter conspiracies.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Hyde’s big-hearted story about the LGBTQ+ community arrived just as a new American president was espousing anti-trans rhetoric from the Oval Office.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
The tension in boys flag football About seven miles away from where the Lick-Wilderming boys are running routes and espousing the value of flag football, the NFL prepares for the inaugural Super Bowl-week Pro Bowl.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for espousing
Verb
-
After marrying, each built their careers, Rosalyn in art and Irwin in business.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Originally made for Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863 as a gift upon marrying the then-Prince of Wales, King Edward VII, the brooch has been passed down to the woman who has held the title ever since.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bubbles Didn’t Enter The Picture That Early In one of the moist unintentionally hilarious moments in the movie, Michael shocks his family by adopting a CGI baby chimpanzee named Bubbles sometime around 1979.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Hallfords’ case prompted laws mandating routine inspections and adopting a funeral director licensing system.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The phrase, coined by 33-year-old content creator and consultant Erica Mallett, refers to embracing those hard feelings.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Big tech companies are competing for dominance in artificial intelligence, borrowing to build data centers and other infrastructure.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The utility business model involves borrowing substantial sums to invest in networks and later recovering costs from customers.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Espousing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/espousing. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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