embrace

¹

[em-breys]

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

verb (used without object)

embraced, embracing 

1. to join in an embrace.

noun

1. an act or instance of embracing.

embrace

²

[em-breys]

verb (used with object)

Law.

embraced, embracing 

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

embrace

¹

/ 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

noun

1. the act of embracing

2. euphemistic,  (often plural) sexual intercourse

embrace

²

/ ɪmˈbreɪs /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrace¹

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

Origin of embrace²

C15: back formation from _embraceor

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

Many in older generations disparaged them as vanities, rather than embracing them as medicine.

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That they only produce twice as much “manufacturing value” as we do despite having more than 16 times as many workers is evidence enough that we needn’t embrace their policies.

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Versant Chief Executive Mark Lazarus encouraged his staff to embrace the change in spite of the challenges of marketing a new brand in a highly fragmented media landscape.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Oftentimes, we frame anxiety as a negative emotion when it’s really just an indicator that change is coming — and you can either embrace it or resist it.

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Its unique flavor profiles and early embrace of the “dirty soda” trend—with flavors like Dr Pepper Blackberry—has become popular with Gen Z consumers.

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Related Words

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