Definition

1. Noun:

   • A close, affectionate, and protective acceptance: An act of willingly accepting or supporting something, such as ideas or beliefs.
   • The state of taking in or encircling: The act of surrounding or enclosing something.
   • The act of clasping another person in the arms: A physical act of holding someone closely, typically as a greeting or to show affection.

2. Verb:

   • To take up the cause, ideology, practice, or method of someone and use it as one's own: To adopt or accept something willingly and enthusiastically.
   • To squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness: To hold someone closely in one's arms as a sign of love, greeting, or comfort.
   • To include in scope; include as part of something broader: To encompass or contain a wide range of things.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • His willing embrace of new ideas made him an innovative leader.
  • The island was secure in the embrace of the sea.
  • They greeted each other with a warm embrace.

• Verb:

  • She decided to embrace Catholicism.
  • The mother embraced her child tightly.
  • This theory embraces a wide range of phenomena.

Advanced Usage

• "To embrace change": To willingly accept and adapt to new conditions or ideas.

  • Successful companies learn to embrace change.

• "A loving embrace": A hug that conveys deep affection.

  • He found comfort in his friend's loving embrace.

Variants and Related Words

• Embraced (verb, past tense): The past tense and past participle of "embrace."

  • She embraced the opportunity without hesitation.

• Embracing (verb, present participle/gerund): The act of embracing.

  • His embracing of diverse cultures is admirable.

Synonyms

• Hug (verb/noun): To hold closely; an act of holding someone tightly.
• Adopt (verb): To take up and practice or use.
• Encompass (verb): To include comprehensively.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Embrace" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "Embrace the suck" (informal): To accept a difficult or unpleasant situation with a positive attitude.
  • The training was brutal, but we had to embrace the suck and get through it.

Noun

1. a close affectionate and protective acceptance
   • his willing embrace of new ideas
   • in the bosom of the family
2. the state of taking in or encircling
   • an island in the embrace of the sea
3. the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

Verb

1. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own
   • She embraced Catholicism
   • They adopted the Jewish faith
2. squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
   • Hug me, please
   • They embraced
   • He hugged her close to him
3. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
   • This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
   • this should cover everyone in the group