embrace
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- seize
-
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.
- Antonyms:
- exclude
verb (used without object)
noun
-
embraces
plural
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(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); adopt
to embrace Judaism
-
to comprise or include as an integral part
geology embraces the science of mineralogy
-
to encircle or enclose
noun
-
the act of embracing
-
euphemistic (often plural) sexual intercourse
verb
Synonym Usage
See include.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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."
Vocabulary lists containing embrace
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Critics will downplay the victory as more a verdict on a deeply unpopular mayor than an embrace of Raman — a tree stump could have trounced Bass, they’re already saying.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
"He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement."
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Normal protocols were suspended as supporters rushed to gather around and embrace her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
An AFP journalist saw the residents, some draped in Ukrainian flags, disembark from buses and tearfully embrace their loved ones in emotional scenes.
From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026
Mine isn’t much better—ma poulette literally means “my little chicken”—but I choose to embrace the nickname.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
The feasts were a mix of tears and music, embraces and dancing.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
Although the local law embraces triads, foursomes and other group relationships, the language bars registering of couples who have already declared other partnerships.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
In Britain, the charismatic Todd embraces his special envoy status with verve even as he suspects he’s out of his depth.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026
When her father-in-law learns that he has cancer, Sarah Perry embraces her new role as his caregiver.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Cologne made me think of voice coaches, of maitre d’s, of old men and their unwanted embraces.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Several people in the crowd embraced, filled with emotion.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
For his part, Talarico carefully embraced Musk as a foil.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
He embraced and promoted the ethos of non-violent civil disobedience, helping to organise strikes, boycotts and street demonstrations.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
Not every incumbent player in derivatives markets has embraced perpetual futures.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
Just as Indian mathematicians accepted zero while Europeans rejected it for centuries, the East embraced negative numbers while the West tried to ignore them.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
AFP saw Paliy, her mother and sister embracing Paliy's father in a circle.
From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026
Some candidates, like Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents Washington's 3rd Congressional District, are embracing a relaxed, outdoorsy image.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
“Of thinking beyond ourselves, our immediate desires and thirst for gratification, and embracing our differences as strengths. It was a lovely illusion.”
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
But clubs won over skeptics by balancing modern additions with classic traditions, protecting core products and embracing multi-generational appeal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
The smell of wine was ripe and blended into the more embracing warmth of new-baked bread.
From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
