snuggle

verb

snug·​gle ˈsnə-gəl How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
snuggled; snuggling ˈsnə-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
Synonyms of snugglenext

intransitive verb

: to curl up comfortably or cozily

transitive verb

1
: to draw close especially for comfort or in affection
2
: to make snug
snuggle noun

Examples of snuggle in a Sentence

The puppy snuggled up against the sleeping boy. The boy snuggled close to his mother. The dog snuggled its nose between the pillows. The baby snuggled his head against my chest.
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.
There have been plenty of family snuggles, though, which helped make the exhaustion easier to handle. Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 For the next few days, while my toddler felt miserable, he and I were mostly holed up in the room snuggling while the rest of my family got sun-kissed at the beach with their cousins. Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 18 June 2026 Kyle wanting to party for the New York marathon (not an excuse to party, but whatevs) and Amanda wants to snuggle on the couch, getting stoned and watching Interior Motives clips on the big TV. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026 Plus, find more cooling blanket options to snuggle with at Amazon below. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for snuggle

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of snug entry 1

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of snuggle was in 1687

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snuggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snuggle. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

snuggle

verb
snug·​gle ˈsnəg-əl How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
snuggled; snuggling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce snuggle (audio)
1
: to curl up comfortably or cozily : cuddle
2
: to pull in close especially for comfort or in affection : nestle

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