HUG Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

hug 1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg

Definition of hug

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

huffy

hug

huge

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of hug

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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