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

Billy Ray adopted Brandi and Trace, who are Tish's children from a previous relationship. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

The hotel is the first to construct 500 rooms for tourism workers, and as a member of the local community of Green Island, Princess has adopted Green Island High School and Harding Hall Preparatory School. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, more recent research found that companies that adopted shorter work weeks experienced boosts in both productivity and employee satisfaction. —Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Rhode Island’s Division of Motor Vehicles began offering Real ID-compliant licenses in 2018; however, other states didn’t adopt the policy until two years later. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025