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Pursue vs Embrace - What's the difference?

pursue | embrace | Related terms |

As verbs the difference between pursue and embrace

is that pursue is to follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment while embrace is to clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

As a noun embrace is

hug noun; putting arms around someone.

pursue

English

Verb

(pursu)
  • (obsolete) To follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment.
  • To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
  • * Wyclif Bible, John xv. 20
    • The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued' me, they shall ' pursue you also.
  • * 2009 , Martin Chulov, ‘Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail’, The Guardian , 15 Sep 09:
    • He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.
  • To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
    • Her rival pursued a quite different course.
  • To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
  • * 2009 , Benjamin Pogrund, ‘Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu’, The Guardian , 1 Dec 09:
    • He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.
  • To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).

    • See also

    * follow * chase

    embrace

    English

    Alternative forms

    * imbrace (obsolete)

    Verb

    (embrac)
  • To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, / That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
  • * Bible, Acts xx. 1
    • Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.
  • (obsolete) To cling to; to cherish; to love.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
    • I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
  • * Shakespeare
    • You embrace the occasion.
  • * John Locke
    • What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
  • To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I embrace this fortune patiently.
  • To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.
  • * Dryden
    • Not that my song, in such a scanty space, / So large a subject fully can embrace .
  • * Denham
    • Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, / Between the mountain and the stream embraced .
  • To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
    • Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
  • To fasten on, as armour.
    • (Spenser)
  • (legal) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly.
    • (Blackstone)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Hug (noun); putting arms around someone.
  • *
  • *:a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil!  You!   Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
  • (metaphorical) Enfolding, including.