embrace

¹em·brace

verb \im-ˈbrās\

em·bracedem·brac·ing

Definition of EMBRACE

transitive verb

1

a : to clasp in the arms : hug b : cherish, love

2

: encircle, enclose

3

a : to take up especially readily or gladly <embrace a cause> b : to avail oneself of : welcome <embraced the opportunity to study further>

4

a : to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole <charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare> b : to be equal or equivalent to <his assets embraced $10>

intransitive verb

: to participate in an embrace

— embrace·able \-ˈbrā-sə-bəl\ adjective

— em·brace·ment \-ˈbrās-mənt\ noun

— em·brac·er noun

— em·brac·ing·ly \-ˈbrā-siŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of EMBRACE

1. They embraced one last time before going their separate ways.
2. a politician who has been embraced by conservatives
3. Charity embraces all acts of generous giving.
4. It's a subject that embraces many areas of learning.

Origin of EMBRACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French embracer, from en- + brace pair of arms — more at brace

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EMBRACE

Synonyms: bear-hug, clasp, crush, enclasp, enfold, grasp, hug, strain

Antonyms: exclude, leave (out), miss out [British], omit

Related Words: clamp, cling, cradle, grab, grip, hold; bosom, embosom, encircle, entwine, envelop, enwind; fold, lock, twine, wrap; cuddle, fondle, nestle, nuzzle, pat, pet, snuggle, stroke

Near Antonyms: bare, denude, expose, strip

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at adopt, include

Rhymes with EMBRACE

abase, airspace, Alsace, ambsace, apace, backspace, best-case, biface, birthplace, blackface, boldface, bookcase, bootlace, braincase, briefcase, clubface, crankcase, cyclase, debase, deface, disgrace, displace, dogface, doughface, efface, emplace, encase, enchase, enlace, erase, euclase, firebase, fireplace, footpace, footrace, foreface, freebase, gyrase, half-space, hard case, headspace, hydrase, Jerez, kinase, lactase, lightface, lipase, lyase, maltase, manes, millrace, milreis, misplace, mutase, notecase, null-space, nutcase, outface, outpace, outrace, paleface, postface, Quilmes, replace, scapegrace, shoelace, showcase, showplace, slipcase, smearcase, someplace, staircase, subbase, subspace, suitcase, tailrace, tenace, typeface, ukase, unbrace, unlace, watchcase, wheelbase, whey-face, whiteface, workplace, worst-case