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”; 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

Example Sentences

Despite Heated Rivalry's overtly queer themes, the show has been embraced by the wider hockey community.

From BBC

In recent years, the Greens have managed to appeal to metropolitan voters, with progressive ideals, or - to use a term Polanski is happy to embrace - "woke" values.

From BBC

I reached out to dozens of teens and found many who share my kids’ reluctance to embrace AI—as well as their fears about where it’s headed.

From The Wall Street Journal

German actress Marlene Dietrich and fashion designer Coco Chanel also embraced it.

From Barron's

Lam was embraced and encouraged by the Parisian avant-garde, especially Picasso, with whom he exhibited, and the Surrealists, including André Breton, with whom he collaborated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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