embrace

[ em-breys ]

/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

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See synonyms for: embrace / embraced / embraces / embracing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

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

to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.

to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.

to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.

to take in with the eye or the mind.

to encircle; surround; enclose: a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.

to include or contain: An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.

verb (used without object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.

to join in an embrace.

noun

an act or instance of embracing.

OTHER WORDS FOR embrace

2 adopt, espouse, welcome.

3 seize.

7 comprise, cover, embody.

See synonyms for embrace on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR embrace

7 exclude.

See antonyms for embrace on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of embrace

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

synonym study for embrace

7. See include.

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brace·a·ble, adjectiveem·brace·ment, nounem·brac·er, nounun·em·brace·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby embrace

embourgeoisement, embow, embowed, embowel, embower, embrace, embracement, embraceor, embracery, embracive, embranchment

Other definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace²

[ em-breys ]

/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.Law.

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

Origin of embrace

First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace¹

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brac·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use embrace in a sentence

The Washington Post’s Christopher Ingraham documented research showing how Republicans were far more likely than Democrats to embrace “democratic backsliding” — a “retreat from upholding democratic norms,” as one expert put it.
What happens to an entrenched two-party system when one party undermines the system?|Philip Bump|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
This is a senior elected official in a large state, embracing the idea that what happened at the Capitol wasn’t what happened at the Capitol.
Half of Republicans say that the Capitol violence was mostly antifa’s fault|Philip Bump|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
For that, you need a story, a philosophy embraced in the scented candle industry, which has been booming in the pandemic.
Aromas can evoke beloved journeys — or voyages not yet taken|Jen Rose Smith|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
She cares about nothing more than getting back to where she came from, even as 2001’s Dullea is in flight, accepting his exile and even embracing it.
In Science Fiction, We Are Never Home - Issue 95: Escape|Steve Erickson|February 10, 2021|Nautilus

First Amendment devotees embraced him as “the Horatio Alger of the sexual revolution,” as a New York Times article once put it.
Larry Flynt, pornographer and self-styled First Amendment champion, dies at 78|Paul W. Valentine|February 10, 2021|Washington Post
Is there any chance the potential 2016 hopeful will stand up to the right and embrace paid sick leave?
Christie Blames Parents for Bad Economy|Monica Potts|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The question is will we see regime changes in both Hamas and Israel that embrace a lasting peace?
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead|Dean Obeidallah|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We happily hoist our egg nog in the air, embrace each other, and raise our out-of-tune voices in song.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Sanders to do that, he said, “he would have to embrace a radically different form of politics.”
Why the Left Loves Warren, But Won’t Swoon for Sanders|David Freedlander|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wellington, New Zealand Our Oceania pick is the latest city to wholeheartedly embrace the global Brooklyn movement.
Next Stop, Quito: Our Top Cities for 2015|Brandon Presser|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That embrace, that grin and that heart-born exclamation marked the entrance of the Pulsifer family into my life.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Covenanting, whether Personal or Social, ought to embrace present and permanent duty.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Tim seized it, but he brought his other arm around her waist and lifted her from the floor in one mighty embrace.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
We will accept it gladly, Maurille, and I must embrace you because you nursed the mother of her whom I love best on earth.
Honey-Bee|Anatole France
Jessie felt an inclination to embrace the speaker who had quite innocently helped her out of the hole.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (1 of 2)

embrace¹

/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb (mainly tr)

(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

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

to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adoptto embrace Judaism

to comprise or include as an integral partgeology embraces the science of mineralogy

to encircle or enclose

noun

the act of embracing

(often plural) euphemistic sexual intercourse

Derived forms of embrace

embraceable, adjectiveembracement, nounembracer, noun

Word Origin for embrace

C14: from Old French embracier, from em- + brace a pair of arms, from Latin bracchia arms

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace²

/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb

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

Word Origin for embrace

C15: back formation from embraceor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

embrace

OTHER WORDS FOR embrace

OPPOSITES FOR embrace

Origin of embrace

synonym study for embrace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

Words nearby embrace

Other definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

Origin of embrace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

Words related to embrace

How to use embrace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (1 of 2)

Derived forms of embrace

Word Origin for embrace

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

Word Origin for embrace