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
  • All of which hugs closely to the skin for a cologne that whispers rather than shouts.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
  • Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back.
    — Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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