bear-hugged

verb

past tense of bear-hug
as in hugged
to put one's arms around and press tightly elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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-hugged 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hugged
  1. hugged
  2. clasped
Verb
  • The winners jumped from their seats and hugged as confetti poured around them.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
  • Saldaña, shimmering in Cartier, mingled with costars and hugged fans and friends, giving Kidman an especially tight squeeze.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
Definition of hugged
Verb
  • Hathaway clasped her hands over her face as Goldberg spoke, and eventually lowered her head to cry.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
  • But here was Bobby, sitting at Jackie’s bedside, perhaps looking at the ground, one wrist clasped in his hand.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of clasped

Browse Nearby Words

bear-hug
bear-hugged
bear-hugging
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Cite this Entry

“Bear-hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hugged. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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