endorse

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To publicly say that you support or approve of a person, idea or plan.

   Grammar: Takes an object: endorse a candidate.

   Patterns

   • endorse something
   • endorse someone for something

   The newspaper endorsed the mayor for a second term.

   Doctors do not endorse the treatment.

   The union endorsed the new agreement.

2. 2verbtransitivebusiness

   To appear in advertising and praise a product, usually for payment.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often a product or brand.

   Patterns

   • endorse a product

   The athlete endorses a brand of running shoes.

   Celebrities are paid to endorse perfume.

   The chef refused to endorse the frozen dinners.

3. 3verbtransitivefinance

   To sign the back of a check or document so it can be cashed or transferred.

   Grammar: Takes an object: endorse a check.

   Patterns

   • endorse a check

   Please endorse the check before depositing it.

   She endorsed the form and handed it over.

   The bank requires you to endorse each check.

4. 4verbtransitiveBritish

   In British use, to record a penalty on a driving license.

   Grammar: Often passive: his license was endorsed.

   Patterns

   • endorse a license

   The court endorsed his license after the speeding offense.

   Her license was endorsed with six points.

   Police may endorse a license for serious offenses.

Word forms

Common combinations

endorse a candidate

The governor endorsed the candidate.

endorse a product

Few brands can afford a star to endorse a product.

endorse a check

Remember to endorse the check at the bank.

fully endorse

I fully endorse her plan.

publicly endorse

The senator publicly endorsed the bill.

Synonyms and how they differ

support

Support is general and can be practical or emotional, while endorse is a formal public statement of approval.

back

Back is informal and can mean providing money, not just approval.

approve

Approve means to accept as good, and it does not require a public statement.

sponsor

Sponsor means paying for an event or person, which goes beyond endorse.

Opposites

Word family

endorsement noun

public approval or a signature on a check

endorser noun

a person who endorses

indorse verb

a variant spelling

Commonly confused: endorse or indorse?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “endorse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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