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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adopt

Following her rescue, the dog gave birth to four puppies — named Daffy, Bugs, Babs, and Taz, all of whom have been adopted. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025

The rule was initially adopted in March 2024, but was immediately met with litigation from both advocates and opponents. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

In 2024, approximately 2 million dogs were adopted, 554,000 were reunited with their owners, 334,000 were euthanized, and 524,000 were transferred to other organizations, the ASPCA reported. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

By 1894, the year Labor Day became a national holiday, 32 states had adopted the holiday. —AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025