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
Verb
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The sundeck hugs a 100-foot-long swimming pool, and there’s an indoor option in the spa for the cooler months.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026 -
All of these popular spots sit right off Route 1, the coastal alternative road that winds through the state and hugs the Atlantic from the southern border with New Hampshire all the way north to the Canadian border.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Bear-hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hugs. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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