Brace vs. Embrace: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Brace" typically means to prepare for something difficult or to support physically, while "embrace" generally refers to accepting or adopting willingly or holding close in one's arms. The fundamental difference is that brace implies resistance or support
Key Differences
The term "brace" often denotes a sense of preparation or fortification against something, potentially adverse, like bracing oneself for impact. It can also refer to providing support or stabilization, as in the use of a physical brace to support a weak structure or body part. Brace, in essence, conveys a notion of readiness, strengthening, and reinforcement, which may be manifested either physically or psychologically. It is utilized to denote firmness and endurance in facing challenges, obstacles, or demanding situations, whether anticipated or sudden.
Contrastingly, "embrace" implies a wholehearted acceptance, adoption, or incorporation of ideas, beliefs, changes, or individuals. It can mean to hug or hold closely, symbolizing affection, support, and love. The term embodies a sense of openness, warmth, and inclusivity. It is often employed to articulate the acceptance or adoption of diverse thoughts, ideologies, or philosophies and can signify a harmonious union or convergence of varied elements or entities. Embrace denotes a willingness to accept or receive, showcasing a proactive and receptive approach.
While brace involves strengthening or reinforcing to face challenges or to provide support, embrace concerns the open and warm acceptance or adoption of elements, concepts, or individuals. The contrasting nature of brace and embrace is evident in their application; where brace focuses on preparedness and support, either to withstand impact or adversity or to uphold structures, embrace revolves around acceptance, incorporation, and affection, either towards individuals or ideologies.
Brace, with its emphasis on support and fortification, portrays an active approach to handle difficulties or to stabilize and uphold. It is often associated with resilience, endurance, and steadfastness, reflecting a state of readiness and reinforcement. On the other hand, embrace, with its emphasis on acceptance and affection, represents a loving and open approach to receiving or adopting, denoting willingness and inclusivity. It is associated with warmth, openness, and acceptance, portraying a state of reception and union.
In summary, the terms brace and embrace, with their distinct connotations and applications, provide different perspectives on interaction, acceptance, and support. Brace implies a strengthening or supporting mechanism, either in preparation for something challenging or as a means of stabilization, while embrace suggests a loving and willing acceptance or adoption, symbolizing warmth, closeness, and receptiveness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To prepare or support physically.
To accept, adopt willingly or hold close.
Connotation
Resistance, support, preparation.
Acceptance, closeness, warmth.
Usage
Often used in the context of support or readiness.
Commonly used to denote acceptance or holding close.
Grammatical Role
Can be used as a noun or verb.
Typically used as a verb, but can also be a noun.
Application
Physical and psychological.
Physical and metaphorical.
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Brace and Embrace Definitions
Brace
To support or hold steady.
The pillars brace the structure of the building.
Embrace
To hold closely in one's arms.
They share a warm embrace.
Brace
A pair of like things.
She caught a brace of fish.
Embrace
To accept or adopt willingly.
He decided to embrace the new opportunity.
Brace
A device that holds or fastens two or more parts together or in place; a clamp.
Embrace
To include or contain as a part.
The theory embraces a wide range of phenomena.
Brace
A device, such as a supporting beam in a building or a connecting wire or rope, that steadies or holds something else erect.
Embrace
To avail oneself of.
She embraced the chance to learn.
Brace
Braces Chiefly British Suspenders.
Embrace
To clasp or hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection.
Brace
An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, or hold a bodily part in the correct position.
Embrace
To surround or enclose
"the bold chalk ridge that embraces the prominences of Hambledon Hill" (Thomas Hardy).
Brace
Often braces A dental appliance constructed of bands and wires that is fixed to the teeth to correct irregular alignment.
Embrace
To include or contain as part of something broader.
Brace
An extremely stiff, erect posture.
Embrace
To adopt or support willingly or eagerly
Embrace a social cause.
Brace
A cause or source of renewed physical or spiritual vigor.
Embrace
To avail oneself of
"I only regret, in my chilled age, certain occasions and possibilities I didn't embrace" (Henry James).
Brace
A protective pad strapped to the bow arm of an archer.
Embrace
To join in an embrace.
Brace
(Nautical)A rope by which a yard is swung and secured on a square-rigged ship.
Embrace
An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection; a hug.
Brace
A cranklike handle with an adjustable aperture at one end for securing and turning a bit.
Embrace
An enclosure or encirclement
Caught in the jungle's embrace.
Brace
(Music)A leather loop that slides to change the tension on the cord of a drum.
Embrace
Eager acceptance
His embrace of socialism.
Brace
A vertical line, usually accompanied by the symbol {, connecting two or more staffs.
Embrace
(transitive) To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
Brace
A set of staffs connected in this way.
Embrace
To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
Brace
A symbol, { or }, enclosing two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit.
Embrace
To submit to; to undergo.
Brace
(Mathematics)Either of a pair of symbols, { }, used to indicate aggregation or to clarify the grouping of quantities when parentheses and square brackets have already been used. Also called bracket.
Embrace
To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
Brace
Pl. brace A pair of like things
Three brace of partridges.
Embrace
To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
Brace
To furnish with a brace.
Embrace
To fasten on, as armour.
Brace
To support or hold steady with or as if with a brace; reinforce.
Embrace
To accept (someone) as a friend; to accept (someone's) help gladly.
Brace
To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger
Union members braced themselves for a confrontation with management.
Embrace
To attempt to influence (a court, jury, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery.
Brace
To confront with questions or requests.
Embrace
An act of putting arms around someone and bringing the person close to the chest; a hug.
Brace
To increase the tension of.
Embrace
(figuratively) An enclosure partially or fully surrounding someone or something.
Brace
To invigorate; stimulate
"The freshness of the September morning inspired and braced him" (Thomas Hardy).
Embrace
(figuratively) Full acceptance (of something).
Brace
(Nautical)To turn (the yards of a ship) by the braces.
Embrace
(figuratively) An act of enfolding or including.
Brace
To get ready; make preparations.
Embrace
To fasten on, as armor.
Brace
(obsolete) Armor for the arm; vambrace.
Embrace
To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
I will embrace him with a soldier's arm,That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.
Brace
(obsolete) A measurement of length, originally representing a person's outstretched arms.
Embrace
To cling to; to cherish; to love.
Brace
A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.
Embrace
To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
Brace
That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop.
Embrace
To encircle; to encompass; to inclose.
Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed,Between the mountain and the stream embraced.
Brace
A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension.
Embrace
To include as parts of a whole; to comprehend; to take in; as, natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
Not that my song, in such a scanty space,So large a subject fully can embrace.
Brace
A thong used to regulate the tension of a drum.
Embrace
To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
Brace
The state of being braced or tight; tension.
Embrace
To attempt to influence corruptly, as a jury or court.
Brace
Harness; warlike preparation.
Embrace
To join in an embrace.
Brace
(typography) A curved, pointed line, also known as "curly bracket": { or } connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be considered together, such as in {role, roll}; in music, used to connect staves.
Embrace
Intimate or close encircling with the arms; pressure to the bosom; clasp; hug.
We stood tranced in long embraces,Mixed with kisses.
Brace
A pair, a couple; originally used of dogs, and later of animals generally (e.g., a brace of conies) and then other things, but rarely human persons. (The plural in this sense is unchanged.) In British use (as plural), this is a particularly common reference to game birds.
Embrace
The act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
Brace
A piece of material used to transmit, or change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the shell.
Embrace
The state of taking in or encircling;
An island in the embrace of the sea
Brace
(nautical) A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon.
Embrace
A close affectionate and protective acceptance;
His willing embrace of new ideas
In the bosom of the family
Brace
The mouth of a shaft.
Embrace
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
Brace
Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders.
Embrace
Hug, usually with fondness;
Hug me, please
They embraced
Brace
(plural in North America, singular or plural in the UK) A system of wires, brackets, and elastic bands used to correct crooked teeth or to reduce overbite.
Embrace
Take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own;
She embraced Catholocism
They adopted the Jewish faith
Brace
(association football) Two goals scored by one player in a game.
Embrace
A close hug.
They greeted each other with a friendly embrace.
Brace
To prepare for something bad, such as an impact or blow.
All hands, brace for impact!
Brace yourself!
The boy has no idea about everything that's been going on. You need to brace him for what's about to happen.
Brace
To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly.
He braced himself against the crowd.
Brace
(nautical) To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind.
To brace the yards
Brace
To stop someone for questioning, usually said of police.
Brace
To confront with questions, demands or requests.
Brace
To furnish with braces; to support; to prop.
To brace a beam in a building
Brace
To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen.
To brace the nerves
Brace
To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
Brace
That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop.
Brace
A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension, as a cord on the side of a drum.
The little bones of the ear drum do in straining and relaxing it as the braces of the war drum do in that.
Brace
The state of being braced or tight; tension.
The laxness of the tympanum, when it has lost its brace or tension.
Brace
A piece of material used to transmit, or change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the shell.
Brace
A vertical curved line connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be taken together; thus, boll, bowl; or, in music, used to connect staves.
Brace
A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon.
Brace
A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.
Brace
A pair; a couple; as, a brace of ducks; now rarely applied to persons, except familiarly or with some contempt.
He is said to have shot . . . fifty brace of pheasants.
A brace of brethren, both bishops, both eminent for learning and religion, now appeared in the church.
But you, my brace of lords.
Brace
Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders.
I embroidered for you a beautiful pair of braces.
Brace
Harness; warlike preparation.
For that it stands not in such warlike brace.
Brace
Armor for the arm; vantbrace.
Brace
The mouth of a shaft.
Brace
To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace a beam in a building.
Brace
To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves.
And welcome war to brace her drums.
Brace
To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
The women of China, by bracing and binding them from their infancy, have very little feet.
Some who spurs had first braced on.
Brace
To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd.
A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.
Brace
To move around by means of braces; as, to brace the yards.
Brace
To get tone or vigor; to rouse one's energies; - with up.
Brace
A support that steadies or strengthens something else;
He wore a brace on his knee
Brace
Two items of the same kind
Brace
A set of two similar things considered as a unit
Brace
Either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material
Brace
A rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it
Brace
Elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)
Brace
An appliance that corrects dental irregularities
Brace
The stock of a tool used for turning a drilling bit
Brace
A structural member used to stiffen a framework
Brace
Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
Brace
Support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace;
Brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel
Brace
Support by bracing
Brace
Cause to be alert and energetic;
Coffee and tea stimulate me
This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate
Brace
A device that supports a body part.
He wears a brace to stabilize his knee.
Brace
To prepare oneself for something difficult.
Brace yourself for the impact.
Brace
To furnish with a means of support or reinforcement.
The troops were braced for the incoming attack.
FAQs
Is brace always related to physical support?
No, brace can also refer to mentally preparing for something difficult.
Can brace be a noun?
Yes, brace can be a noun, as in a supportive device, or a verb, as in preparing oneself.
Can brace be used metaphorically?
Yes, brace can metaphorically mean preparing for something challenging.
Can embrace refer to the acceptance of ideas?
Yes, embrace can refer to the willing acceptance or adoption of ideas or beliefs.
Is a brace always visible?
No, some braces, like dental braces, can be relatively inconspicuous.
Can embrace be unwilling?
Typically, embrace implies a willing acceptance or a hug.
Does embrace always involve affection?
While often used to imply affection, embrace can also mean general acceptance or adoption.
Is brace only used in negative contexts?
While often used in challenging contexts, brace isn’t strictly negative and can mean any form of support or steadiness.
Does a brace always restrain movement?
Not always, some braces allow a degree of movement while providing support.
Can one embrace change?
Absolutely, one can embrace change by accepting it willingly.
Can embrace denote inclusivity?
Yes, embrace often implies inclusivity and openness to various elements or ideas.
Is an embrace always welcoming?
Typically, an embrace is considered a welcoming and affectionate gesture.
Is an embrace always physical?
No, embrace can also refer to metaphorical acceptance or adoption.
Can brace imply readiness?
Yes, to brace often implies preparing or making oneself ready for something.
Can the term brace be used in medical contexts?
Yes, brace is frequently used in medical contexts to refer to supportive devices.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
