HUG Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

hug 1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg

Definition of hug

as in to congratulate

to express to (someone) admiration for his or her success or good fortune she hugged herself for having made a killing on the investment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to clasp

to put one's arms around and press tightly Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye

Synonyms & Similar Words

hug

2 of 2

noun

as in embrace

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 hug

Verb

Morales' supporters hugged, chanted, jumped up and down, pumped fists, clapped, whistled and cheered once the last batch of results came into the courtyard of Riffraff Bookstore, with Morales showing the decisive lead. — Colin Hogan, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026 The late Princess of Wales wore the black, silk, off-the-shoulder, asymmetric and figure-hugging dress on June 29, 1994. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

Then, outside the Long Beach courtroom, Gonzalez and Bustillos’ mother shared a tearful hug. — Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 In the distance, a toddler in a matching Nike outfit literally leaped into the arms of a crying woman, perhaps a grandmother, squeezing tightly for a hug. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hug

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug

Verb

When Reddick won the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell and chief operating officer Ben Kennedy were among the first to congratulate Jordan, the trio embracing in a hall outside Jordan’s suite.

— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

But if the awards season goes as the streamer plans, a journey that began in Cannes with a rapturous standing ovation, could end with Los Javis clasping some golden statues.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
Davis stood with his lawyer as the verdict was read, then sat with his hands clasped on the table.

— Jon Haworth, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clasp

Noun

After Alvarez rounded the bases, the two met at home plate and shared a long embrace before walking back to the dugout.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The production was full of nostalgia for an imagined past when the small screen was more ascendant and apolitical, with tributes to Charlie’s Angels and Dolly Parton shirking any embrace of the form’s progressive history.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of embrace

Verb

Their next two opponents after the Phillies are the Chicago Cubs, who are a game behind the top NL Wild Card spot, and the Houston Astros clinging to a three-game lead in the AL West.

— Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Milk fats and proteins can also cling to silicone surfaces, especially if water does not directly reach the interior.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of cling

Noun

Still, if Curl doesn’t make a clutch diving grab as the ball nosedived toward the grass, that’s merely an incomplete pass that no one remembers.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Armstrong continued to bolster his case for NL MVP, drawing a four-pitch walk, scoring twice and making a leaping grab at the center-field wall to rob Miami’s Heriberto Hernández of a potential extra-base hit in the sixth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

The device features flexible side wings that can fold inward to cradle the head and neck.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
While standard flip-flops are generally relatively flat, these are made with plenty of arch support, along with deep heel cups to cradle your feet for full-day comfort.

— Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026

Definition of cradle

Browse Nearby Words

huffy

hug

huge

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hug

verb

noun

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