Definition

1. Verb:
   • To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life: To choose to follow or advocate for a particular idea, theory, policy, or practice, making it one's own.
   • To marry: To take someone as a spouse; to wed.

Usage

• The verb "espouse" is used in formal or academic contexts. It describes a deliberate, often public, act of commitment to an idea or a person.
• When referring to beliefs or causes, it implies active support and advocacy.
• When referring to marriage, it is an archaic or very formal term.

Examples

• Adopting a cause or belief:
  • The politician was known to espouse environmental protection long before it became popular.
  • She espouses the philosophy that education is the most powerful tool for change.
• Marrying (archaic/formal):
  • In the old tale, the knight promised to espouse the princess upon his return.

Advanced Usage

• "to espouse a principle": to commit to and champion a specific rule or standard.
  • The company's code of conduct espouses the principle of transparency.
• "to espouse a view": to hold and express a particular opinion.
  • He is not afraid to espouse controversial views in his writings.

Variants and Related Words

• Espousal (n): The act of adopting or supporting a cause or belief, or the act of marrying.
  • His public espousal of the reform agenda gained him many supporters.
  • The novel describes the espousal of the two main characters.

Synonyms

• Adopt: To take up and practice or use.
• Embrace: To accept or support willingly and enthusiastically.
• Champion: To support or defend a cause.
• Advocate: To publicly recommend or support.
• Wed (for the marriage sense): To marry.

Antonyms

• Reject: To refuse to accept or consider.
• Oppose: To be against; to resist.
• Renounce: To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or belief.

Related Phrases

• "to espouse a cause": This is the most common collocation, meaning to become a supporter of a particular social or political aim.
  • Many young people espouse the cause of social justice.

Verb

1. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own
   • She embraced Catholicism
   • They adopted the Jewish faith
2. take in marriage
3. choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
   • She followed the feminist movement
   • The candidate espouses Republican ideals