Synonyms of embrace

embrace 1 of 2

verb

im-ˈbrās 

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

• hug
• clasp
• cling
• cradle
• grasp
• enfold
• grab
• wrap
• hold
• bear-hug
• crush
• enclasp
• strain
• bosom
• grip
• encircle
• envelop
• snuggle
• pat
• entwine
• clamp
• fold
• lock
• cuddle
• fondle
• nuzzle
• enwind
• stroke
• pet
• nestle
• embosom
• twine

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

• wrap
• envelop
• enclose
• shroud
• encompass
• encase
• bosom
• enfold
• involve
• veil
• enshroud
• muffle
• drape
• encircle
• embed
• mantle
• enwrap
• invest
• cocoon
• swathe
• embower
• lap
• cloak
• embosom
• circumfuse
• bower
• enswathe
• curtain
• circle
• disguise
• swaddle
• blanket
• camouflage
• mask
• overlay
• overspread
• enwind
• enlace

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• bare
• strip
• denude

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

• adopt
• borrow
• assimilate
• cultivate
• take up
• follow
• utilize
• espouse
• incorporate
• take on
• imitate
• use
• absorb
• pick up on
• copy
• cherish
• honor
• appropriate
• usurp
• treasure
• nurture
• domesticate
• raise
• heed
• take over
• foster
• quote
• pretend
• affect
• naturalize
• prize
• simulate
• assume
• arrogate
• put on
• bring up
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abandon
• relinquish
• surrender
• forsake
• give up
• reject
• renounce
• disown
• abjure
• repudiate
• spurn
• discard
• jettison
• abnegate
• throw away
• throw out
• junk

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

• welcome
• enjoy
• greet
• like
• adopt
• eat (up)
• drink (in)
• hail
• prefer
• choose
• lap (up)
• espouse
• take up
• select
• take
• pick
• elect
• decide (on)
• opt (for)
• name
• single (out)
• cull
• cherry-pick
• handpick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• pass up
• turn down
• spurn
• balk (at)
• object (to)
• throw over
• demur (to)

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

• include
• encompass
• involve
• contain
• carry
• entail
• comprehend
• number
• subsume
• take in
• comprise
• receive
• incorporate
• possess
• have
• consist (of)
• own
• admit
• embody
• integrate
• hold
• bracket
• constitute
• form
• compose
• assimilate
• make

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• exclude
• leave (out)
• omit
• preclude
• refuse
• prohibit
• deny
• reject
• miss out
• eliminate
• ban
• bar
• rule out
• lose
• debar
• except
• misplace
• mislay

6

as in to surround

to form a circle around

a sleepy village embraced by low hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surround
• encircle
• encompass
• circle
• enclose
• ring
• gird
• compass
• circumscribe
• fence (in)
• environ
• wreathe
• girdle
• hem (in)
• wall
• entrench
• close in
• beset
• besiege
• invest
• swarm
• cordon (off)

embrace

2 of 2

noun

1

as in acceptance

Related Words

• acceptance
• acquiescence
• embracement
• consent
• assent
• approval
• concession
• accession
• approbation
• adhesion
• agreement
• consensus
• assentation
• unison
• understanding
• favor
• complicity
• unanimity
• collaboration
• concurrence
• collusion
• oneness
• solidarity
• concurrency
• conspiracy
• alliance
• union
• conformity
• compliance
• concert
• accord
• harmony
• concord
• sympathy
• empathy
• concordance
• consonance
• rapport
• concertedness

Dissimilar Words

• conflict
• disagreement
• resistance
• opposition
• discord
• dissension
• dissent
• dissensus
• disapproval
• disfavor
• disapprobation

2

as in hug

Related Words

• hug
• foothold
• grab
• clinch
• leverage
• footing
• purchase
• toehold
• grasp
• seizure
• anchorage
• clasp
• hold
• grip
• clench
• grapple
• handhold
• handgrip

Dissimilar Words

• release
• relinquishment

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

Recent Examples of embrace

Verb

But during the 1960s and in subsequent decades, a growing patient rights movement embraced the importance of informed consent for honoring patients’ autonomy. — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026

The hoofed Highlanders have been embraced as an unofficial mascot on campus, with Reddit threads dedicated to donkey spotting and burro plushies for sale in the campus store. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

In the visual, Karol and Mars portray lovers once again — and even share a dramatic, firework-spurring embrace at the end. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Lula's embrace of public spending helped drive economic growth early in his government, but growth has since slowed. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026