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

Related Words

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
No longer separated by a table, Gage and Nader exchanged a warm hug, while new friends—but each a long-term supporter of the designer—Ganesh and Tabasco bid farewell. — Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026 Some close their eyes and smile, as if a hug from Erika is a hug from Charlie. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 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
  • According to outlets, including Maine broadcast station WMTW, Collins called Jackson shortly after midnight to congratulate him for his win.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sorrells congratulated Burks on her victory and said his office will work with her to ensure a smooth transition.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated November 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 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
  • That embrace of diversity will no doubt affect the math for the 2028 Democratic primaries — a race where only 24 hours ago, there was a strong sentiment that a white man was the only safe way for Democrats to go.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Tariffs and trade wars, Canada-bashing, Europe-bashing, the betrayal of Ukraine and embrace of Vladimir Putin, the grotesque self-enrichment of himself and his circle, the unleashing of an armed militia of ICE goons on our streets.
    — Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Anir has remained glued to the door, his left hand gripping the handle as if clinging to something solid might keep him from faltering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
  • After clinging to life for three days at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn following the vicious Friday night attack, Suarez, 28, finally succumbed to her injuries Monday, her family said.
    — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • There are also a couple of casual, al fresco dining options around the pool and cabanas, a market-style spot for grab-and-go and deli-style options, a Starbucks, and a cocktail-forward lobby bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Foods for the grab and go refrigerator were not marked with the date.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Mary is lying on the cloth and turning to cradle Jesus, who is lying next to her.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The trade-off for that symmetry is that a low-profile, mirror-image body won't cradle the palm the way a contoured mouse does.
    — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 3 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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