espouse
What does "espouse" mean?
To "espouse" means to adopt, support, or become attached to a cause, belief, or way of life. It carries the connotation of embracing an idea with conviction and making it a part of your own identity, almost as if you were marrying into that set of values. While it is rooted in the historical sense of marrying a spouse, today it is almost exclusively used in formal contexts regarding political, social, or philosophical ideas. You would "espouse a philosophy" or "espouse a policy," but you would rarely use it in everyday, casual conversation; it implies a level of intellectual commitment and serious advocacy.
"espouse" in conversation
Academic debate
Does the author truly espouse these radical economic theories?
Does the author truly espouse these radical economic theories?
I think he’s just exploring them, not necessarily committing to them.
I think he’s just exploring them, not necessarily committing to them.
Used here to question the sincerity of someone's belief in a theory.
Political interview
Your party seems to espouse a very different set of values this year.
Your party seems to espouse a very different set of values this year.
We are simply evolving to meet the needs of the modern voter.
We are simply evolving to meet the needs of the modern voter.
Shows how the word is used to challenge a political platform.
"espouse" in a sentence
She espouses the importance of lifelong learning.
She espouses the importance of lifelong learning.
The organization was founded to espouse the rights of workers in the tech industry.
The organization was founded to espouse the rights of workers in the tech industry.
Many modern political movements espouse a return to traditional agrarian values as a solution to climate change.
Many modern political movements espouse a return to traditional agrarian values as a solution to climate change.
