ADOPT Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'adopt' differ from other similar words?

The words embrace and espouse are common synonyms of adopt . While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature. // forced to adopt new policies

Q: In what contexts can 'embrace' take the place of 'adopt'?

Although the words embrace and adopt have much in common, embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance. // embraced the customs of their new homeland

Q: When might 'espouse' be a better fit than 'adopt'?

While in some cases nearly identical to adopt , espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes. // espoused the cause of women's rights

adopt

verb

ə-ˈdäpt

Definition of adopt

as in to borrow

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) shortly after moving to the U.S., the family dutifully adopted the American tradition of having turkey for Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb adopt differ from other similar words?

The words embrace and espouse are common synonyms of adopt. While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature.

forced to adopt new policies

In what contexts can embrace take the place of adopt?

Although the words embrace and adopt have much in common, embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance.

embraced the customs of their new homeland

When might espouse be a better fit than adopt?

While in some cases nearly identical to adopt, espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes.

espoused the cause of women's rights

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adopt In 2022, Evanston adopted a bird-friendly building design ordinance. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 The show replaces each one with a fresh fuckup, who rarely has trouble adopting Slough House’s culture of picking at one another’s wounds until everyone’s a little too exposed for comfort. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026 Other countries in the region have adopted security policies similar to those of the United States. — Almudena Calatrava, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Move Insoles, the company Lillard co-founded with longtime athlete marketer Nate Jones, has already been widely adopted by athletes across multiple sports. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adopt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adopt

Verb

At Monza, Antonelli was borrowing the car of his future teammate, George Russell.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Staying at the frontier of AI is expensive, and Meta carries a lower credit rating than Alphabet, Amazon, or Microsoft, limiting its ability to keep borrowing.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of borrow

Verb

Yet a growing number of adults age 60 and older are embracing AI, using it for entertainment, planning trips and even accessing health information.

— Robin Brewer, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Over the past few years, Anthropic has embraced regulation in a way that other AI companies haven’t.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of embrace

Browse Nearby Words

adolescents

adopt

adopted

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“Adopt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adopt. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of adopt

verb

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