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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hug
Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 29 July 2025
However, one recent fan interaction caught him off guard when a woman stepped into the aisle, appearing to look for a hug, before being moved by bodyguard OVO Chubbs.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 July 2025
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
The robot lifts itself over thresholds, avoids rugs while mopping, and hugs corners with an extended pad system.
—PC Magazine, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
It'd be delivered with a laugh and a pat on the back and a hug, and probably some tears in his eyes for being proud of me.
—Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 29 July 2025
However, one recent fan interaction caught him off guard when a woman stepped into the aisle, appearing to look for a hug, before being moved by bodyguard OVO Chubbs.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 July 2025
Noun
Well, a camera caught Duran hugging Twins' bullpen catcher Frank Nigro during a game Tuesday, prompting just about everyone to think a trade had gone down.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
The robot lifts itself over thresholds, avoids rugs while mopping, and hugs corners with an extended pad system.
—PC Magazine, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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Several celebrities, including Olivia Jade and Poppy Delevingne, congratulated the couple in Talita's Instagram comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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The Prince of Wales then took to the field to congratulate the team, shaking hands with England player Michelle Agyemang and offering her warm congratulations.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 July 2025
Verb
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The short clip shows Ruby, who did not share her last name, standing at Brisbane International Airport, visibly shocked, her hands clasped over her mouth.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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The codes of rhyming that Clipse speak of are as precious as the ethics of journalism, clasped tightly by their advocates, and unappreciated by the unaccustomed.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
27 July 2025
Noun
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The stars have since reunited several times, including Pitt attending Aniston’s 50th birthday in 2019 and a warm backstage embrace at the SAG Awards in 2020 — which, naturally, went viral.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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But his tolerance for and embrace of the crudest kinds of corruption also create an opportunity for his opponents.—
CASEY MICHEL,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The motor can be unlocked to bump the top speed to 24 mph (38.6 km/h) when venturing into the wild, with the rider holding onto the high-rise bars while the passenger clings to the rider.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Aug. 2025
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Yet clinging to the old system and pining for its restoration would be deluded and futile.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The spots are up for grabs, and the snaps are up for grabs.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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The winner of the playoffs gets a $10 million bonus check; across the field, a total of $100 million is up for grabs.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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From the 1933 line drawing of the goddess Fortuna lovingly cradling the globe to the Bauhaus starkness of Walter Allner’s 1957 depiction of global trade to the Rubik’s Cube–like metal globe on the 2015 cover announcing our first Change the World list, Luce’s humane internationalism lives on.—
Indrani Sen,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
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Ozzy comes up, with Minnie cradled in his tattooed arms.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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