embrace

[ em-breys ]

/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

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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.

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.

Words nearby embrace

embow, embowed, embowel, embower, emboîté, embrace, embraceor, embracery, embracive, embranchment, embrangle

Origin of embrace

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em-¹ + bracier to embrace, derivative of brace the two arms; see brace

SYNONYMS FOR embrace

2 adopt, espouse, welcome.

3 seize.

7 comprise, cover, embody. See include.

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ANTONYMS FOR embrace

7 exclude.

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OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

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

Definition for embracing (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

1400–1450; late Middle English: to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury), perhaps the same word as embrace¹, influenced by embrasen to set on fire (< Middle French embraser; see em-¹, braise)

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brac·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for embracing

Soon enough, Castro turned his back on those ideals, embracing Soviet style communism.
Cuba Is A Kleptocracy, Not Communist|Romina Ruiz-Goiriena|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The important thing about embracing success, they say, is not to rest on your laurels.
OK Go Is Helping Redefine the Music Video For the Internet Age|Lauren Schwartzberg|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On her own path, though, the “relationship know-it-all” is embracing her own, different natural progression.
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Embracing those fleeing war in the Middle East would come at a high political, economic, and (potentially) public health cost.
Pope Bids Refugees to EU ‘Bienvenido’; Europe Says ‘Non’|Candida Moss|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She attacks the modern Environmental Defense Fund for embracing markets and corporate partners.
Naomi Klein’s ‘This Changes Everything’ Will Change Nothing|Michael Signer|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sammandha then gave the Jains a chance of escape by embracing the Saiva faith, to which some of them became converts.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
Liudmila quickly threw up her head, looked at her with a deep, embracing look.
Mother|Maksim Gorky
Still, he grew calm after embracing Hatteras and Altamont for the twentieth time.
The Voyages and Adventures of Captain Hatteras|Jules Verne
Yet such is life, that whatever is proposed, it is much easier to find reasons for rejecting than embracing.
The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., in Nine Volumes, Volume the Second|Samuel Johnson
Cortes received him with great ceremony, embracing him in sign of respect, and they sat down together.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. III|Robert Kerr

British Dictionary definitions for embracing (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 embracing (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

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

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

noun

Content related to embrace

Words related to embrace

Words nearby embrace

Origin of embrace

SYNONYMS FOR embrace

ANTONYMS FOR embrace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

Definition for embracing (2 of 2)

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

Origin of embrace

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

Examples from the Web for embracing

British Dictionary definitions for embracing (1 of 2)

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Derived forms of embrace

Word Origin for embrace

British Dictionary definitions for embracing (2 of 2)

verb

Word Origin for embrace