embrace

Meaning

1. To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
2. To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
3. To submit to; to undergo.
4. To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
5. To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
6. (obsolete) To fasten on, as armour.
7. (obsolete) To accept (someone) as a friend; to accept (someone's) help gladly.
8. (obsolete) To attempt to influence (a court, jury, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery.

embrace

hug

clasp

cuddle

include

hold

enfold

comprise

adopt

caress

contain

fondle

cover

grasp

embracing

bosom

squeeze

carry in the arms

encircle

enclose

take in

carry

entwine

kiss

cling to

nestle

pet

hold in one’s arms

grab

embracement

encompass

clinch

surround

hold in arms

hold tight

cherish

nuzzle

snuggle

embosom

wind round

clasping

clasp round

espouse

sweep up

comprehend

smooch

seize

absorb

assume

intransigent

search for

support

catch

have

hold in the arms

holding in one’s arms

take upon oneself

consist of

incorporate

involve

recognize

touch

twine

act of embracing

take in one’s bosom

take into one’s bosom

cope

arms II

avail oneself

enclasp

fold

mantle

union

copulate

unite

fold in one’s arns

enfold in arms

carry in one’s arms

brood

cover eggs

hatch eggs

grab hold of

hold in arm

in hand

hold fast

wrestle with

cling

meet

adhere to

profess

accommodate

take over

acceptance

acceptation

appro

approbation

approval

assent

authority

blessing

plaudit

sanction

assimilate

digest

imbibe

ingest

strike

take

take up

bear

implicate

subsume

necking

smooching

armful

wrestling

protect

hold with arms

pounce on

barney

take in one's arms

put one's arms

brace

envelop

rule

clog

crowd

possess

covered

love

press

clip

fathom

wrestle

greet

block

Frequency

Hyphenated as

em‧brace

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɛmˈbɹeɪs/

The verb is derived from Middle English embracen (“to clasp in one's arms, embrace; to reach out eagerly for, welcome; to enfold, entwine; to ensnare, entangle; to twist, wrap around; to gird, put on; to lace; to be in or put into bonds; to put a shield on the arm; to grasp (a shield or spear); to acquire, take hold of; to receive; to undertake; to affect, influence; to incite; to unlawfully influence a jury; to surround; to conceal, cover; to shelter; to protect; to comfort; to comprehend, understand”) [and other forms], from Old French embracer, embracier (“to kiss”) (modern French embrasser (“to kiss; (dated) to embrace, hug”)), from Late Latin *imbracchiāre, from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’)) + bracchium (“arm”). The English word is analysable as em- + brace. The noun is derived from the verb.