espouse
eh-SPOW-z
/ɪˈspaʊz/
To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life.
Implies a deep, personal commitment, as if 'marrying' the idea.
The story behind the word. Related to the word 'spouse'. It originally meant to betroth or marry. Over time, it shifted from marrying a person to 'marrying' an idea or cause.
Word relationships
- embrace: Embrace is more common and less formal; espouse suggests a public declaration of belief.
- repudiate: To repudiate is to reject or refuse to be associated with an idea.
Commonly confused with
- champion: Championing is about the fight; espousing is about the adoption of the belief.
Word family
- espousal (noun): An act of adopting or supporting a cause, belief, or way of life.
Collocations
- espouse a theory
- espouse a cause
- espouse views
Example sentences
- "She continued to espouse the virtues of free-market capitalism." Philosophy
- "The movement espoused non-violent resistance as its core tenet." Historical movement
Memory hook
Think of 'spouse'. When you espouse an idea, you 'marry' it. Marry the idea.
When not to use
Rarely used for people; you espouse 'ideas' or 'philosophies'.
Fun facts
- In old legal English, 'espousals' referred to the mutual promise of marriage.
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