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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

espouse

Verb

IPA /ɪˈspaʊz/

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UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To publicly support or adopt a belief, principle or policy.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

espouse/ɪˈspaʊz/

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  1. A person adopts a principle

  2. They openly support that principle

To espouse a belief is to give it your public support.

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Examples in context

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  1. The group espouses the idea that everyone should have access to green space.
  2. In her essay, she espoused a more inclusive approach to education.

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To publicly support or adopt a belief, principle or policy.
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espouse — To publicly support or adopt a belief, principle or policy.

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To publicly support or adopt a belief, principle or policy.

Compare: The group espouses the idea that everyone should have access to green space.

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Word origin

From Old French espouser, originally connected with taking someone as a spouse.

Did you know?

Espouse usually takes an idea, cause, belief or policy as its direct object.

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espouse

/ɪˈspaʊz/ (Verb)

“This is a formal verb. Say espouse a cause, not espouse for a cause.”

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