EMBRACE Synonyms: 274 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

embrace 1 of 2

verb

im-ˈbrās

Definition of embrace

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

Relevance

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

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

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

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

as in to surround

to form a circle around a sleepy village embraced by low hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

embrace

2 of 2

noun

as in acceptance

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in hug

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Menachem Begin embraced the 1978 Camp David accords with Egypt only because the agreement did not require him to come to terms with the Palestinians. — Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026 Rose soon shed their Americana trappings, publicly embraced their queerness, and revamped their musical identity. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

Reminders of what’s missing Three-and-a-half hours through traffic took the sisters home, for another reunion, another piece of the family put back together with a very, very long embrace from their mom, Nancy. — Norma Galeana, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 But his more recent embrace of Kemp, who campaigned with him this week, reflects his push to also reach the crossover voters who kept the Governor’s Mansion in GOP hands. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embrace

Verb

The curvaceous Road to Hana, which hugs Maui's northeastern shore around Haleakalā National Park, is one of the island's most memorable experiences, one that will make the hassle of renting a car worth it.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Coach Bill Self, who hugged Bidunga shortly before tip, was not pleased with the obscene chants staring into the student section.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hug

Verb

The remains, wrapped in several layers of garbage bags, were turned over to the Gang Supression Force by HERO, a relief organization that was contacted through humanitarian channels, the group told the Miami Herald.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Paul Herlihy’s body was found on the kitchen floor wrapped in carpet and covered with a blue tarp.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrap

Verb

How fast the benefits of a truly life-changing technology flow through the economy is the actual measure of how fast it is being adopted.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Variety reports that the psychological thriller, which stars Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio as a married couple who travel to European small town to adopt a baby, will feature a cameo from Charli.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

And the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority, which should be welcoming the O’Hare Flyer, as should everyone in this region, appear to be aiding and abetting them.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Bönan said the aim is to make visitors feel like guests in a prince’s house, much like the nobles and royals who were welcomed and slept under its grand ceilings.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of welcome

Verb

Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of include

Verb

For many, being surrounded by thousands of people who share their beliefs is a big part of the attraction.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
In the hills surrounding Taiz, the government forces are trying to repel the Houthis but face stiff resistance, especially east of the city.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of surround

Noun

Should Israel fight to regain the world's acceptance or to increase their neighbors' deterrence?

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
However, a rollout ceremony is one stage in a longer process that also includes acceptance, training, and operational preparation.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of acceptance

Noun

By 1862, the Confederates’ largest city had already returned to United States control, and America’s armies already held footholds in every single Confederate state.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026
Wealthy foreigners put hundreds of thousands of dollars into real estate or businesses, and governments gave them a foothold abroad.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of foothold

Browse Nearby Words

embowers

embrace

embraceable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embrace. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of embrace

verb

noun

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