as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of bear-hug
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
Safdie had designed two pink granite 60-story massive towers, almost bear-hugging each other.
—Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
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
Safdie had designed two pink granite 60-story massive towers, almost bear-hugging each other.
—Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hug
Verb
-
Roberts leapt to hug her with tears in her eyes.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Mikaela Shiffrin hugs her father Jeff after a long day, at Piney Lake on July 15, 2013.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lindo laughs, clasps his hands together and raises them.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Place your forearms on the ground, with your elbows under your shoulders and palms clasped together, forming a fist.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hug. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
