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
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Recent Examples of hug
Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 7 June 2026
The beach stretches as far as the eye can see, bordered by flowing grassy dunes, while massive cliffs hug its edges.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Marsh, who had watched Sosa’s sixth-inning strikeout from the top step of the dugout, found Sosa in the dugout and attacked him from behind with a hug.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
People were hugging and high-fiving strangers.
—Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 7 June 2026
The beach stretches as far as the eye can see, bordered by flowing grassy dunes, while massive cliffs hug its edges.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Noun
The script called for the teen-ager to sign on the line, the mother to follow the agency woman out into the hallway, and the best friend to enter and give the teen-ager a consoling hug.
—Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Marsh, who had watched Sosa’s sixth-inning strikeout from the top step of the dugout, found Sosa in the dugout and attacked him from behind with a hug.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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Several celebrities also sent in video tributes congratulating Evelyn on receiving the award, including Steve Carell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien.—
Seyanna Barrett,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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In his concession speech, Eliasch aimed an allegation at the Olympic body and urged FIS to protect its independence before congratulating Ospelt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The Everybody's Live with John Mulaney host, 42, sits on the bed, wearing a surgical mask and clasping Munn's hands in his.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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At the end, before Fallon reappeared, all pep and cheer, Forge clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, as if locked in prayer.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The public’s slow but steady embrace of sustainability will continue to nudge the hospitality industry in that direction, even as those initiatives face resistance from political headwinds and polarization, Dominguez said.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
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The state representative rose to national acclaim for his embrace of Christianity with Democratic politics and was outspoken this past summer when Democratic state legislators in Texas left the state to try to prevent a vote on the new congressional map.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Champagne and beer soaked the floor, cigar smoke clung to the air and the Knicks finally celebrated a title generations of fans have longed to see.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
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Without proper preparation, even premium paint will cling to flaws, creating splotches, streaks, or peeling within weeks.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Collins led Dooley in the May 19 primary but neither surpassed 40%, leaving many Republican votes up for grabs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
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Prosecutors accused Yoon of attempting to create a crisis with North Korea while plotting an authoritarian power grab aimed at removing political opponents and consolidating control.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The rebound came back to the Sabre, who then lifted it into the crease area, hoping for a good bounce but Lindholm was able to cradle it and clear the puck out of danger.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Handcrafted since 1852, these Swedish masterpieces are made with layers of natural horsehair, cotton, wool, and flax, designed to cradle your body while wicking away moisture and regulating temperature.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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