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

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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

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

Producers couldn’t embrace a full story-verse built around women, and the show continued to uphold a dudebro-centric worldview.
Supernatural’s bonkers series finale marked the end of an era of fandom|Aja Romano|November 20, 2020|Vox
It shines best just cooler than room temperature, when the indistinct but comforting aromas and flavors of a garden in bloom embrace you.
Food-friendly wines to pair with your Thanksgiving dishes|Dave McIntyre|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Last year, electric scooters were booming in big cities across the United States and other countries as urbanites embraced a relatively novel way of getting around town.
E-scooters are getting computer vision to curb pedestrian collisions|Dalvin Brown|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
My tentative hypothesis is that the average outdoorsy person’s love of nature has less to do with scenery and sporty fun and whatnot than it does with being embraced by the world.
On Sleeping in the Largest Organism on Earth|Leath Tonino|November 19, 2020|Outside Online

Since an outside researcher like Anna Tuchman would have a hard time getting a bunch of firms to suddenly embrace this kind of experimentation, she thought about another method to measure advertising, what’s called a border strategy.
Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 1: TV) (Ep. 440)|Stephen J. Dubner|November 19, 2020|Freakonomics
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
Not far distant is Chouacot,11 which is the other shore or arm embracing French Bay.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
But it should not be by embracing revenge through the treasons, whose arms were extended to receive and to avenge him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
It remained for Man to take the grand step of embracing all humanity as one brotherhood and one nation.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Do not make any display of affection for even your dearest friend; kissing in public, or embracing, are in bad taste.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Many instances of this in man might be cited, embracing various features of the muscular and other internal organs.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris

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

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