hug 1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg How to pronounce hug (audio)
Definition of hugnext
1
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
2
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

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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
The property itself was first built by the Medici family and sits in the Val d’Orcia, hugged by endless hills dotted by cypresses and quaint villages. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Driving the road north of San Francisco that hugs the coast to Point Reyes. — Kara Swisher, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
Some close their eyes and smile, as if a hug from Erika is a hug from Charlie. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 Now the only thing missing is a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and maybe a hug from Mom! — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
  1. congratulate
  2. clasp
  3. embrace
  4. cling
  5. grab
  6. cradle
Verb
  • Please join me in congratulating Kayleen and welcoming Maria to XBOX!
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone kept congratulating her on the long overdue success.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • The patron stands, hands clasped behind his back, with a foot perched on the box.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Then the duo begins, and everyone leans forward, rapt, hands clasped loosely in front of them, mouthing every word.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • The memoir also details Cooper’s crippling, career-stalling struggles with substance abuse during the late ‘70s and goes into depth about his subsequent re-embrace of Christianity and his current beliefs and practices.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The stem cell industry sees the FDA’s tentative embrace of peptides as its chance to get a foot in the door — and bring stem cells from the grey market to millions of Americans.
    — Margaret Manto, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Selling this promise of a technological future to those clinging to the dream of American prosperity was an especially potent exercise during the Depression.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • Twenty-seven Senate seats are up for grabs with 22 left to be decided in the runoffs between the top two finishers in each race.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The restroom was missing a toilet paper dispenser, rolls of toilet paper were observed on a grab rail next to the toilet.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 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

“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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