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
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025
Sobbing, the 63-year-old trucker hugged his wife, Betty, and bowed his head over the steering wheel.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 10 May 2025
Paddack, who hadn’t pitched past five innings this season, was sharp and efficient in his 7 1/3-inning effort, leaving to a standing ovation from the Target Field crowd and hugs from his teammates on his way to picking up his first win of the year.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
The memory foam layers are meant to feel body hugging, and the cushioned surface is both breathable and hypoallergenic for sensitive sleepers.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2025
Sobbing, the 63-year-old trucker hugged his wife, Betty, and bowed his head over the steering wheel.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Noun
In a video of the special reunion, Gavin can be seen thanking Oscar and giving him a big hug.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 10 May 2025
Paddack, who hadn’t pitched past five innings this season, was sharp and efficient in his 7 1/3-inning effort, leaving to a standing ovation from the Target Field crowd and hugs from his teammates on his way to picking up his first win of the year.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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The Redditor said that her mother-in-law started tearing up and her boss stood up to congratulate them.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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By the end of the production, Benson gave the cast a standing ovation and became emotional, congratulating the crew through tears.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Crowning it all is a tender portrait — three small hands clasping hers, a portrait of family and togetherness etched in ink.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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She was dressed in gray baggy pants and a shapeless brown shirt, her tiny hands clasping a clipboard.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The record arrives alongside a visualizer featuring two ice sculptures in the shape of two lovers locked in each other’s embrace.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2025
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The full skirt and tailored jacket were a repudiation of the war's utilitarian styles and an embrace of extravagance. 20 of 20 Nicole Scherzinger Newly minted Tony nominee Nicole Scherzinger brought Old Hollywood glamour and drama to the carpet with her tailored and bedazzled pinstripe gown.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
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Cats demonstrating insecure attachment, by contrast, demonstrate signs of stress such as twitching their tail and licking their lips, and either staying away from their caregiver or clinging to them and not moving.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Will Chinese EVs officially dethrone Tesla and the Model Y in 2025, or does America's current most controversial car brand still have a chance to cling to glory?—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Other spots, and particularly backup jobs, are up for grabs and right now the depth chart is blank.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
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At the end of that quarter, while Vincent van Gogh’s In de Duinen (In the Dunes) was up for grabs, the Celtics had taken the lead 39-28.—
Daniel Cassady for ARTnews,
Robb Report,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Morot cradles the head, still that boy dreaming of Fangoria covers.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
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Made from memory foam, this pillow will cradle your neck and head, giving you a comfortable place to rest your head at the end of a long day.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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