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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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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
Wilkinson saw her before the game and the two hugged each other. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 Seated in a wheelchair, he was quickly wheeled out of the courtroom after the sentencing, while some of his accusers hugged and brushed away tears. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The two exchanged a hug and Doyle then walked briskly to the elevator. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Her mom smiled with happiness, and then the two shared a warm hug as Williams wiped tears from her eyes. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 14 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
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Williams watched the record-breaking performance on TV from his home in Glen Ellyn and called Crow-Armstrong after the game to congratulate the 24-year-old.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 20 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
  • Although the pair walked the red carpet individually, they were pictured holding hands and posing in a sweet embrace inside the event.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026
  • My advice is to learn the business, embrace technology and stay relentlessly curious about the humans doing the work.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • The senior Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest after being convicted last year for trying to cling to power following that defeat.
    — Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026
  • James Pantemis stopped two shots for Portland (9-12-5), which is clinging to the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • With only 39 days until the election, Democrats gathered Friday in Miami Beach to court Hispanic voters as polling suggests South Florida Latinos who voted Republican in recent years are up for grabs.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • And the question of how the country’s premier history museum should tell the nation’s story is suddenly up for grabs.
    — Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 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

“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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