espouse vs select

espouse is not an adjective while select is an adjective.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
espouse	No	No	Yes	No
select	No	Yes	Yes	No

As verbs, select is a hypernym of espouse; that is, select is a word with a broader meaning than espouse:

espouse: choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
select: pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

Other hypernyms of espouse include choose, pick out, take.

espouse (adjective)	select (adjective)
	selected or chosen for special qualifications
	of superior grade

espouse (verb)	select (verb)
take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own	pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
take in marriage; married