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GRE vocabulary

espouse

verbHigh-frequency wordMore E words

to adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life

Word origin: From Latin sponsare, to betroth.

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In a sentence

Espouse in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing espouse in a sentence.

The senator espoused policies aimed at reducing inequality.

Late in life the economist came to espouse the very policies he had once condemned.

Synonyms
advocateembracechampion
Antonyms
renouncerejectoppose

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

The professor's lectures were notoriously blank; students often left more puzzled than when they had arrived, unable to follow his tangled chains of reasoning.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “espouse” well

Espouse means to take up and actively support a cause or belief. It implies public allegiance, not passing agreement, and derives from the language of betrothal.

Common questions

Questions about “espouse”

Espouse (verb) means to adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life
Here is espouse used in an example sentence: "The senator espoused policies aimed at reducing inequality." Another example: "Late in life the economist came to espouse the very policies he had once condemned."
Common synonyms for espouse include advocate, embrace, champion.
Antonyms of espouse include renounce, reject, oppose.
Clusters with advocate, embrace, and champion in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms renounce, reject, and oppose mark the contrast.
Yes. Espouse is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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