embrace

¹ American  

[em-breys] / ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object)

embraced, embracing

1. to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.

2. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly.

   to embrace an idea.

   Synonyms:

   welcome, espouse, adopt

3. to avail oneself of.

   to embrace an opportunity.

   Synonyms:

   seize

4. to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.).

   to embrace Buddhism.

5. to take in with the eye or the mind.

6. to encircle; surround; enclose.

   a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.

7. to include or contain.

   An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.

   Synonyms:

   embody, cover, comprise

   Antonyms:

   exclude

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verb (used without object)

embraced, embracing

1. to join in an embrace.

noun

1. an act or instance of embracing.

embrace ² American  

[em-breys] / ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object)

Law.

embraced, embracing

1. to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.

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embrace ¹ British  

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

1. (also intr) (of a person) to take or clasp (another person) in the arms, or (of two people) to clasp each other, as in affection, greeting, etc; hug

2. to accept (an opportunity, challenge, etc) willingly or eagerly

3. to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adopt

   to embrace Judaism

4. to comprise or include as an integral part

   geology embraces the science of mineralogy

5. to encircle or enclose

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noun

1. the act of embracing

2. euphemistic (often plural) sexual intercourse

embrace ² British  

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

1. (tr) criminal law to commit or attempt to commit embracery against (a jury, etc)

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Related Words

See include.

Other Word Forms

• embraceable
  adjective
• embracement
  noun
• embracer
  noun
• unembraceable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embrace¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + bracier “to embrace,” derivative of brace “the two arms”; see brace

Origin of embrace²

First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace ¹

Explanation

To embrace something is to welcome it with open arms, hold, hug, accept completely. You might embrace your sweetheart, or even changes in technology. Embrace is from the French verb embrasser, which started out meaning "to clasp in the arms" (but now includes kissing). You embrace someone by giving her a giant hug, and when you embrace a new idea, it's like your brain gives it a hug. The noun and verb form are similar: If you embrace someone who isn't your sweetheart, you might get caught in an embrace. In Henry IV, Shakespeare writes about a really, really tight embrace: "I will embrace him with a soldier's arm/That he shall shrink under my courtesy."

Example Sentences

But Quenneville agreed that his young team will embrace the challenge Thursday rather than shy away from it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

"We believe responsible operators should embrace higher standards."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Regulators should instead embrace tools that address emerging risks, including stronger authentication of communications, improved detection and blocking of fraudulent activity, and clearer disclosure when consumers are interacting with AI systems.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Palantir learned to embrace AI, if not always enthusiastically, and offered it broadly to customers starting in 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

“Me loves evvybody,” she once said, opening her arms, with her spoon in one hand, and her mug in the other, as if eager to embrace and nourish the whole world.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• accept
• adopt
• embody
• espouse
• have
• receive
• take advantage of
• take up
• welcome