Library / English Dictionary

ESPOUSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own

Example:

They adopted the Jewish faith

Synonyms:

adopt; embrace; espouse; sweep up

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "espouse" is one way to...):

accept (consider or hold as true)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "espouse"):

fasten on; hook on; latch on; seize on; take up (adopt)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

Example:

The candidate espouses Republican ideals

Synonyms:

adopt; espouse; follow

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "espouse" is one way to...):

choose; pick out; select; take (pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives)

Verb group:

abide by; comply; follow (act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "espouse"):

adhere; stick (be a devoted follower or supporter)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

espousal (the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Take in marriage

Synonyms:

conjoin; espouse; get hitched with; get married; hook up with; marry; wed

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "espouse" is one way to...):

unify; unite (act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief)

Verb group:

marry; splice; tie; wed (perform a marriage ceremony)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "espouse"):

inmarry (marry within one's own tribe or group)

mismarry (marry an unsuitable partner)

wive (marry a woman, take a wife)

wive (take (someone) as a wife)

intermarry (marry within the same ethnic, social, or family group)

remarry (marry, not for the first time)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

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