embrace
0 antonyms and opposites of embrace, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to hug.
How to use embrace
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French embracer, "to clasp in the arms," ultimately from Latin bracchium, "arm" — the same root as brace and bracelet.
Full origin of embrace →Frequently asked questions
What does “embrace” mean?
The word “embrace” means to hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to hug. In plain terms, to hug someone tightly, or to accept an idea or change fully and willingly.
How do you pronounce “embrace”?
“Embrace” is pronounced ehm-BREHS (/ɛmˈbɹes/ in IPA).
How do you use “embrace” in a sentence?
Here is “embrace” used in a sentence: “They embraced tightly at the airport after months apart.”
What is another word for “embrace”?
Words with a similar meaning to “embrace” include accoll, amplect, beclip, clip, coll and strain.
What part of speech is “embrace”?
Depending on how it is used, “embrace” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “embrace” come from?
The word “embrace” comes from Latin. From Old French embracer, "to clasp in the arms," ultimately from Latin bracchium, "arm" — the same root as brace and bracelet.
Is “embrace” a common word?
“Embrace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “embrace” have?
“Embrace” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to hug.
What is the difference between "embrace" and "hug"?
Both mean to hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection. "Embrace" is slightly more formal or literary and can also mean to accept an idea, while "hug" is the everyday word and stays physical.
How is "embrace" used to talk about ideas or change?
Beyond the physical sense, "embrace" means to accept an idea, opportunity, or change willingly and enthusiastically. For example, "they embraced new technology" means they took it up eagerly rather than resisting it.
What is the difference between "embrace" and "accept"?
"Accept" means simply to agree to or receive something, which can be reluctant or neutral. "Embrace" is stronger and warmer, implying you welcome the idea or change willingly and enthusiastically.
Is "embrace" formal or informal?
"Embrace" is somewhat formal and expressive, common in writing and speeches, as in "embrace the challenge." In casual conversation people usually say "hug" for the physical sense and "go along with" or "welcome" for the figurative one.