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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
The tailored dress hugged Vergara’s frame at the top but delivering a more relaxed fit on the skirt. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 After capturing the title, Byrd celebrated by hugging his coaches and supporters. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
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 At Nebraska’s northern border with South Dakota, the hills and hollows of Highway 12 hug the Missouri River from Ponca to Valentine. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 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
  • 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
  • In his latest movie, Johnny Knoxville nearly gets electrocuted on a fence and pees himself, clings to the hood of a speeding jeep, and suffers numerous other physical abuses.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • With the Marlins clinging to faint playoff hopes, Alcantara came out of the bullpen for the first time in nine years and closed out a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • His 122-page indictment, which named Badio and the Colombians among others, spelled out a power grab that also involved people in the president’s circle.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But somehow, Chase contorted his body, located the ball, snagged it out of the air, and kept both feet in the end zone for one of the best touchdown grabs of the season thus far.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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