embrace 1 of 2

verb

im-ˈbrās How to pronounce embrace (audio)
Definition of embracenext
1
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly upon being finally reunited, the overjoyed father embraced his son

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely the stone walls that embrace the monastery serve to symbolize its function as a retreat from an unquiet world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to adopt
to take for one's own use (something originated by another) rap music came to be embraced by people who were far removed from the places where it originated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to welcome
to receive or accept gladly or readily the exchange student was gratified to be so quickly embraced by people of the small rural community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to include
to have as part of a whole a course in social studies can embrace everything from sociology to civics and economics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to surround
to form a circle around a sleepy village embraced by low hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

embrace

2 of 2

noun

1
as in acceptance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hug

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb embrace differ from other similar words?

The words adopt and espouse are common synonyms of embrace. While all three words mean "to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own," embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance.

embraced the customs of their new homeland

When could adopt be used to replace embrace?

The meanings of adopt and embrace largely overlap; however, adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature.

forced to adopt new policies

Where would espouse be a reasonable alternative to embrace?

The synonyms espouse and embrace are sometimes interchangeable, but espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes.

espoused the cause of women's rights

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of embrace
Verb
New York’s historic role as a global leader in finance compels us to act decisively, to embrace crypto, and to secure our state’s economic future. —Jeremy Cooney, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025 Vela embraced living in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles immediately embraced him back. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
Paresh Dave The Privacy-Friendly Tech to Replace Your US-Based Email, Browser, and Search Thanks to drastic policy changes in the US and Big Tech’s embrace of the second Trump administration, many people are moving their digital lives abroad. —Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025 What Thornton is striving toward, an embrace of generosity, of humanity being able to change what faith and religion even mean, is often moving. —Ella Kemp, IndieWire, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for embrace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for embrace
  1. hug
  2. wrap
  3. adopt
  4. welcome
  5. include
  6. surround
  7. acceptance
  8. foothold
Verb
  • They obviously didn't get hugged enough as children –either of them.
    — Steve Inskeep, NPR, 6 June 2025
  • Hand 103, Bethel, 102 ½. There was bedlam, Hand kids screaming and jumping and yelling and hugging each other.
    — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Phineas and Ferb is officially returning to the Disney Channel after wrapping its fourth season in 2015.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 7 June 2025
  • The decision comes shortly after the two shows wrapped their 2024-25 seasons: Alert aired its last episode on May 27, and The Cleaning Lady finished up on June 3.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
Definition of wrap
Verb
  • In 1985, the Ohio Legislature adopted it as the official state rock song.
    — Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The infant’s mother was adopted at age 2, one of nine children raised by the adoptive mother.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Definition of adopt
Verb
  • Blue Origin personnel were soon on hand to inspect the vehicle, open the hatch and welcome the NS-32 crewmates home.
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 31 May 2025
  • The New York Islanders pulled out all the stops — and just about every team employee — to welcome new general manager Mathieu Darche to the fold.
    — Arthur Staple, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of welcome
Verb
  • Special guest stars included Lou Diamond Phillips and Lea Salonga.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 June 2025
  • Gonzalez said his home run Friday, his second of the season, included a hunting trip.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Definition of include
Verb
  • The newlyweds tied the knot on May 16 at Sandals Ochi Rios in Jamaica, surrounded by their close friends and family.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • Others are sleeping in tents surrounded by the rubble of their former homes, fearful to leave in case they are forced out of Gaza.
    — Sarah-Grace Mankarious, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Definition of surround
Noun
  • Success here builds acceptance and enthusiasm for more advanced implementations. 8.
    — Andrew Mawson, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Charlotte and Harry certainly have their hiccups around their child’s identity at first, but never in a way that indicates anything less than love and acceptance for Rock.
    — James Factora, Them., 29 May 2025
Definition of acceptance
Noun
  • But as college sports hurtles toward revenue-sharing and a new era of athlete compensation, the faculty’s traditionally modest foothold is all but gone.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025
  • Rhode launched in 2022, quickly gaining a foothold with Gen Z through its skincare, lip balms, and viral phone case.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 May 2025
Definition of foothold

Browse Nearby Words

embowers
embrace
embraceable
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Cite this Entry

“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embrace. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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