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

The Harvard Business School graduate wiped away tears as supporters offered prayers, embraced him and shook his hand. — Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026 For his part, Prince William has embraced the technology, urging big tech companies to leverage tools to help prevent homelessness. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Noun

Today, the country’s embrace of the technology is evidenced by the ubiquity of robots. — John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 But Vance, like Obama, uses a personal embrace of faith to link his outsider narrative to a larger story of American purpose. — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for embrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embrace

Verb

Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of hug

Verb

The agency also adopted additional security measures, such as surrounding the president with bullet-resistant glass at outdoor events.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

The experience feels less like touring a luxury property and more like being welcomed into someone’s home—the atmosphere the team set out to create.

— Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Alysa Guffey More than 50 people gathered in 90-degree heat to protest welcoming data centers to Indianapolis before packing the public assembly room on the second floor of the City-County Building.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of welcome

Verb

They were filled with protesters — including outraged members of a teachers’ union and relatives of kidnapping victims — as well as fans skeptical of a team that, four years earlier, posted its worst World Cup performance since 1978.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Plus, the power port includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports for powering appliances, speakers, and other devices.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of include

Verb

Plantation police said the circumstances surrounding the child's death remain under investigation.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Officials did not initially identify Ortiz Canseco on Thursday or disclose the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, saying his family needed to be notified first.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of surround

Noun

With Ancelotti on the sideline, there may be more begrudging acceptance of that this time.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Plus, regulatory acceptance, industry validation, and real-world testing will determine how widely such systems can be deployed in safety-critical environments.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026

Definition of acceptance

Noun

As millions of Venezuelan refugees moved through Latin America, Tren de Aragua established criminal footholds along migration corridors, extending its reach into Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and eventually the United States.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Rare artifacts, detailed maps and personal stories walk visitors through a time when control of Fort Pitt meant control of the West, giving colonists a crucial foothold in the struggle against British rule.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of foothold

Browse Nearby Words

embowers

embrace

embraceable

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“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embrace. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of embrace

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noun

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