Synonyms of adopt

adopt

verb

ə-ˈdäpt 

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

• borrow
• embrace
• cultivate
• assimilate
• take up
• follow
• take on
• espouse
• incorporate
• utilize
• use
• imitate
• pick up on
• copy
• appropriate
• absorb
• usurp
• foster
• domesticate
• take over
• honor
• raise
• cherish
• heed
• naturalize
• affect
• simulate
• quote
• treasure
• nurture
• pretend
• arrogate
• assume
• prize
• put on
• bring up
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandon
• relinquish
• surrender
• forsake
• give up
• reject
• renounce
• disown
• abjure
• repudiate
• spurn
• discard
• jettison
• throw away
• throw out
• abnegate
• junk

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of adopt

Coincidentally - or perhaps not - the company was required to adopt a more complicated lease standard in 2022, the same year these accounting issues began. —Jesse Silvertown, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

For instance, Missouri will vote on whether to legalize sports betting, while Maine will decide whether to adopt a new state flag. —ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Trump’s uncompromising approach and refusal to broker dissent within his party has driven away moderates, leading most of the party’s top leaders to adopt MAGA populism. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Question 4: State law requires a city to adopt a general plan every 10 years that broadly outlines the vision of a municipality, how the land can be used and policy guidance, among other topics. —Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024