as in hugging
to put one's arms around and press tightly
elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
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Recent Examples of bear-hugging
In two photos, Mollen is seen bear-hugging her 12-year-old on a bed.
—
Sarah Bregel,
Parents,
2 June 2026
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
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
Sarah Bregel,
Parents,
2 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hugging
Verb
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The train continues south to Christchurch, hugging the craggy coast.
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His psychedelic paintings, sometimes painted in the style of Russian Orthodox icons, often depicted Putin with a bovine nose or hugging pigs.
Verb
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In one segment, when Kimmel and McNearney pick up a hitchhiking Olivia Rodrigo while taking the family to school, Jane shows off her personality, clasping her hands over her mouth in disbelief when Rodrigo enters the car, only to sing-along with the pop star on her way to school.
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McDaniels held onto Murray for dear life — often literally clasping his jersey — as the Nuggets tried to run him off every conceivable screen.
Cite this Entry
“Bear-hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hugging. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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