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
In her latest Instagram post, the singer was also seen in her Hairspray costume hugging singer Troye Sivan on the dance floor at a Halloween party and dressed as the twins from The Shining with anther pal. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026 Floris, tears in her eyes, hugged several of her former colleagues before sharing a hug with Benavides. — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
My 16-year-old daughter Missy, in order to avoid the inevitable hug, stationed herself on the far side of the dining room table but Helen, not to be denied, rounded the table with arms outstretched. — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026 Morgan has a nice, conciliatory dinner with Gabe, which leads to a hug outside the restaurant, where Smallwood has some paparazzi strategically waiting. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Oct. 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
  • Don’t ‘Bless Texas’ Killing Machine’ In his November 4 letter, Hood began by congratulating Hinojosa on her historic victory.
    — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Instead, the union congratulated the mayor-elect and said its president, Ricky Mendoza, had reached out to establish a dialogue with her.
    — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks' championship banner was hanging in the rafters as James sat nearby on the bench with his head bowed and hands clasped.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • There was an emotional embrace between Javits's father and students at the school who spoke about their late friend, and gave a message to his killers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Some progressive members of the Illinois delegation pushed back on the notion that the results of the midterms were more of a rejection of Trump than an embrace of Democrats and their policies.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Most of the shine is off, now that the Wolverines are buried and Oregon is clinging to hopes of reaching the Big Ten Conference Championship, but the war of words off the field has made the on-field game must-see TV all over again.
    — Ian Miller, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Jamal Murray battled foul trouble in the second half but got hot in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets tried to cling to a lead.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • Outside of his 195-yard performance, the receivers combined for 76 yards, including Flournoy’s 46-yard grab on the final drive.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2026
  • But Notre Dame's Luke Talich — who had an interception in the third quarter — knocked the ball away, with officials ruling that Lofton hadn't completed the grab.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The adjustable headrest also has wings that fold in to cradle your head.
    — Lauren Harano, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Mary is lying on the cloth and turning to cradle Jesus, who is lying next to her.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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