Do you know the definition of embrace? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word embrace, including its definition, usage, examples, and more!
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According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word embrace is a noun and a verb that can refer to a greeting in which one wraps another in a pair of arms such as a a hug, or a more figurative acceptance or ideology, such as one country embracing a territory under its protection. This is a protective acceptance or an expression of affection. Embrace is two syllables – em-brace, and the pronunciation of embrace is ɪmbreɪs. Different suffixes like ing, ble, er and ment can be added to the end of embrace to make related words.
The word embrace can be used in many different ways in the English language. A person might embrace Judaism and convert if their spouse is of the Jewish faith, geologists might embrace the science of mineralogy, or a student might embrace their gift for criminal law and decide to work for the FBI. Someone might embrace a wide range of people from different backgrounds with eager acceptance. A person might pull their partner into an amorous embrace.
Different languages also contain words that mean embrace. You might notice that some of these words look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are when two words that mean something similar and different languages also look and sound similar. Cognates are formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations of embrace is provided by Word Sense.
According to Etymonline, the word embrace has been used since the mid-14c Middle English. This word comes from the Old French embracer which in Modern French is written as embrasser. This means to clasp in the arms, enclose covet, handle, or cope with. This comes from the words brace and braz, which both refer to the arms. These come from the Latin bracchium, which is the neuter plural of the Latin bracchia arms. These Latin words come from the Greek brakhion, which also means an arm.
What are synonyms and antonyms of embrace?
There are many equivalent words that a person can use in place of the word embrace. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word embrace is provided by Power Thesaurus.
There are also many words and phrases that mean the opposite of the word embrace. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms of embrace is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
be dissatisfied with
dismiss
be displeased with
decry
anathematize
have a poor opinion of
denounce
vacillate
apprehend
give something a miss
not believe in
demur
remonstrate against
refuse
disfavor
eliminate
spurn
doubt
say no to
have reservations about
stop
let go
denude
animadvert
waver
repel
send packing
shilly-shally
disallow
distrust
be uncertain
reproach
decline
be hostile towards
bar
hesitate
erase
knock
avoid
be dubious
debar
look down one’s nose at
detest
eschew
condemn
have suspicions about
wonder about
veto
despise
blame
avulse
abjure
attack
exclude
renounce
lose
give up
arraign
challenge
reject
have doubts about
deprecate
discard
loathe
dispute
criticize
express a poor opinion of
abnegate
turn down
shun
harbour suspicions about
look askance at
not support
send somebody packing
be against
fluctuate
alienate
harbour reservations about
think wrong
scorn
find unacceptable
rebuke
omit
reprove
abstain
deny
deplore
abandon
feel uneasy about
frown on
disbelieve
censure
release
take a dim view of
disparage
send someone packing
have doubts
repudiate
ban
take exception to
Overall, the word embrace means to accept or to grasp with one’s arms. This word can be used literally or figuratively. One can literally embrace another by pulling them into a hug or passionate kiss. One can figuratively embrace another person by accepting them and their different qualities or ways of being.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.