bear-hug

verb

bear-hugged; bear-hugging; bear-hugs
Synonyms of bear-hugnext

transitive verb

: to embrace in a bear hug

Examples of bear-hug in a Sentence

elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And, besides, he could be seen bear-hugging his players, as well as those of Newcastle, within moments of being led away from Barrott, twice turning back to shout and angrily gesticulate in the referee’s direction. Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Once Tyler and Beau got there to Victory Lane, right before the confetti popped and rained down and reminded Reddick that yes, this was real, and yes, Jordan was bear-hugging him, and yes, a childhood dream had come true — a new memory took place. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026 Mamdani’s refusal to bear-hug Israeli leadership, which until recently was de rigueur for both political parties, has transformed him into the embodiment of a bogeyman for some Jews who live above 60th Street. Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 9 Jan. 2026 Williams celebrated by jumping onto the goal post padding and bear-hugging the upright, which earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025 Aggies players were ecstatic with the triumph, high-fiving and bear-hugging each other and then shaking hands with fans young and old. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025 Running back Isaac Guerendo returned to practice Tuesday and twice ran into the line only to be bear-hugged by Warner, who followed orders and did not tackle to the ground. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025 And then Forbes will see the kid disappear into a giant bear-hug. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025 Gypsy also scored a nomination for Joy Woods, who plays the actual title role as Momma Rose’s daughter Louise, and for the bear-hug of a performer who is Danny Burstein, while Camille A. Brown’s choreography was recognized but George C. Wolfe’s direction wasn’t. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bear-hug was in 1907

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bear-hug. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

bear hug

noun
: a rough tight hug
bear-hug verb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster