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

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 See All Example Sentences for embrace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for embrace

Verb

The fact that shoes are getting slimmer and slimmer may feel somewhat new, but the sole-hugging footwear is actually just a continuation of a popular style from the ’90s.

— Renata Joffre, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026
The hip-hugging silhouettes also provided a prime opportunity to show off oversized belts and bellybutton piercings.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hug

Verb

Americana musician Brandi Carlile just wrapped a three-night stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and fans who attended the Saturday show got a special surprise when she was joined by ‘90s rock legend Alanis Morissette.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Season 2 wrapped in April and was won by RJ Reynolds, a Project Manager from Texas.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrap

Verb

Rates actually continued to increase after the Society of Surgical Oncology adopted the guidelines in 2016, even though patients who received the biopsy were not more likely to survive or avoid recurrence.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Meta immediately took out advertisements in major newspapers, pressuring its competitors to adopt similar guardrails.

— Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

The mail stolen from the vehicle may have included election ballots, which were processed for delivery on that day, Lanning said.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Previous recipients have included Korean production designer Ryu Seong-hie (Decision To Leave) and Taiwanese filmmaker and actress Sylvia Chang (Love Education, Daughter’s Daughter).

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of include

Verb

But following public pushback over data center projects in Hazle Township and surrounding areas, Shapiro walked back the permissive AI infrastructure policies.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Today, the customer base reflects the diversity of the surrounding neighborhood, with shoppers of all backgrounds stopping in for specialty products, custom cuts and prepared foods.

— Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of surround

Noun

She is drawn to the fragility of a woman’s mind inside a stifling life shaped by men, and the steady acceptance of the violence built into it.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
In the late hours of Wednesday night, in the clubhouse where the Braves reside at Truist Park, there was an air of acceptance and finality.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of acceptance

Noun

The deal gives Constellation a foothold in a new segment that has drawn more interest from consumers.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Experts say Washington essentially sees Okinawa as its strategic foothold to deploy militarily in the region and beyond, and the island is seen by both countries as important for monitoring China, the Taiwan Strait and the Korean peninsula.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of foothold

Browse Nearby Words

embowers

embrace

embraceable

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Style

“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/embrace. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of embrace

verb

noun

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