bear-hugs

verb

present tense third-person singular of bear-hug
as in hugs
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hugs
  1. hugs
  2. clasps
Verb
  • Meanwhile in the Strait of Hormuz, a tanker has reported being hit by a missile while transiting the southern route of the waterway which hugs Oman’s coastline, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The attacks took place when the tankers — Mombasa and Al Bahiyah — were sailing through the strait's southern shipping lane, which hugs the coast of Oman, the defense ministry said.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of hugs
Verb
  • King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
  • Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Definition of clasps
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bear-hugging
bear-hugs
bearing
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Cite this Entry

“Bear-hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hugs. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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