espouse

/is'pauz/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
espouse

She espouses a philosophy of kindness in her daily life.

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.
espouse

She espouses a philosophy of kindness in her daily life.

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