Spouse vs. Espouse — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
Spouse refers to a married partner, while espouse means to adopt or support a cause or belief.
Difference Between Spouse and Espouse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A spouse is legally recognized as someone's husband or wife through marriage, creating a familial bond and legal responsibilities. On the other hand, to espouse does not pertain to legal or familial bonds but instead involves the endorsement or support of an idea, theory, or cause.
While a spouse plays a significant role in personal and familial matters, espouse is used more in the context of public, professional, or ideological realms. The term spouse connects to a more intimate, personal sphere of human relationships, whereas espouse reaches into broader societal or intellectual landscapes.
The emotional implications of having a spouse involve love, commitment, and companionship. In contrast, espousing a belief or cause mainly engages one’s intellectual or moral agreement and advocacy, often lacking the personal emotional depth associated with marital relationships.
Legal implications also differentiate these terms significantly. Being someone’s spouse can affect various legal rights and duties, including inheritance, tax benefits, and decision-making in healthcare situations. Espousing a cause or belief carries no legal consequences but may influence one's social and professional reputation and interactions.
Socially, spouses are often seen as a unit, sharing social responsibilities and benefits. Espousing a cause, however, can position an individual within specific social groups or movements, aligning them with like-minded people or, conversely, setting them against those with opposing views.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A legally married partner.
To adopt or support a cause or belief.
Context
Personal and familial.
Ideological, professional, or public.
Emotional Ties
Involves love, commitment.
Centers on intellectual or moral agreement.
Legal Implications
Involves legal rights and duties.
Lacks legal consequences.
Social Impact
Creates a recognized social unit.
Aligns one with specific groups or ideas.
Compare with Definitions
Spouse
A person's partner in marriage.
She introduced Tom as her spouse at the office party.
Espouse
To express support for a particular policy or idea.
The politician espoused tax reforms during his campaign.
Spouse
A legally wed individual.
The benefits plan covers both the employee and the spouse.
Espouse
To make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
She espoused environmental causes with enthusiasm.
Spouse
A marital companion.
Each spouse must sign the mortgage documents.
Espouse
To take up a cause or belief ardently.
They espoused the cause of human rights.
Spouse
One's significant other legally recognized by marriage.
Her spouse has recently moved abroad for work.
Espouse
To advocate or align oneself with an idea.
He espoused veganism in his latest book.
Spouse
A spouse is a significant other in a marriage, civil union, or common-law marriage. The term is gender neutral, whereas a male spouse is a husband and a female spouse is a wife.
Espouse
To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life.
He espoused the principles of classical liberalism.
Spouse
A husband or wife, considered in relation to their partner.
Espouse
Adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life)
She espoused the causes of justice and freedom for all
Spouse
A marriage partner; a husband or wife.
Espouse
Marry
Edward had espoused the lady Grey
Spouse
To marry; wed.
Espouse
To adhere to or advocate
Espoused a contrarian viewpoint.
Spouse
A person in a marriage or marital relationship.
People should treat their spouses with respect.
Espouse
To take in marriage; marry.
Spouse
(dated) To wed; to espouse.
Espouse
To give (a woman) in marriage.
Spouse
A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife.
At last such grace I found, and means I wrought,That I that lady to my spouse had won.
Espouse
(transitive) To become/get married to.
Spouse
A married man, in distinction from a spousess or married woman; a bridegroom or husband.
At which marriage was [were] no persons present but the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young man.
Espouse
(transitive) To accept, support, or take on as one’s own (an idea or a cause).
Spouse
To wed; to espouse.
This markis hath her spoused with a ring.
Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize.
She was found again, and spoused to Marinell.
Espouse
To betroth; to promise in marriage; to give as spouse.
A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph.
Spouse
A person's partner in marriage
Espouse
To take as spouse; to take to wife; to marry.
Lavinia will I make my empress, . . . And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.
Espouse
To take to one's self with a view to maintain; to make one's own; to take up the cause of; to adopt; to embrace.
Promised faithfully to espouse his cause as soon as he got out of the war.
Espouse
Choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans;
She followed the feminist movement
The candidate espouses Republican ideals
Espouse
Take in marriage
Espouse
Take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own;
She embraced Catholocism
They adopted the Jewish faith
Common Curiosities
How does legal recognition affect a spouse?
Legal recognition provides spouses with various rights and obligations, such as inheritance rights, tax benefits, and decision-making authority in health issues.
What kind of commitment does espousing a cause involve?
Espousing a cause generally involves a commitment to advocacy and public support of that cause.
Can one espouse without being directly involved?
Yes, one can espouse ideas or causes simply by supporting or advocating for them, without direct involvement.
What does it mean to have a spouse?
A spouse is someone's legally married partner, typically involved in a personal and intimate relationship.
What is the primary role of a spouse in a marriage?
The primary role of a spouse in a marriage typically includes companionship, support, and sharing the responsibilities and benefits of married life.
Can someone be both a spouse and espouse something?
Absolutely, individuals can maintain their role as a spouse while also espousing particular causes or beliefs.
Is espousing a belief mandatory for professionals in certain fields?
While not mandatory, professionals in fields like politics, education, or social activism may often find it beneficial or necessary to espouse specific beliefs or causes relevant to their work.
What are the financial implications for spouses?
Spouses often share financial responsibilities and benefits, such as joint ownership of property, shared bank accounts, and eligibility for spousal benefits in insurance and retirement plans.
How does one typically begin to espouse a cause?
One typically begins to espouse a cause by learning about it, developing a passion for it, and then actively promoting, supporting, or advocating for it through various means such as social media, public speaking, or personal networking.
Is there a legal document that defines the rights of a spouse?
Legal rights of spouses are typically defined by marriage certificates and local marriage laws, which vary by location but generally include provisions for property, inheritance, and other marital rights.
Does espousing a cause require formal education or credentials?
Formal education or credentials are not required to espouse a cause, though they can enhance one’s understanding and effectiveness in advocating for it.
How do societal views differ between a spouse and someone who espouses radical ideas?
Societal views on spouses are generally neutral or positive, viewing marriage as a standard part of life. However, espousing radical ideas can lead to mixed reactions, ranging from admiration to controversy, depending on the context and the audience.
Can the act of espousing affect one's personal relationships?
Yes, espousing certain causes or beliefs, especially if they are controversial, can impact personal relationships, potentially causing conflicts or strengthening bonds with like-minded individuals.
How can espousing a cause impact one’s career?
Espousing a cause can positively impact one’s career by aligning with the values of an employer or industry, or negatively, if the cause conflicts with professional responsibilities or public image.
What changes legally when someone becomes a spouse?
Legally, becoming a spouse changes one’s status in numerous ways, including tax filing status, eligibility for spousal benefits, and next-of-kin status for medical and legal decisions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
