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

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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
Saldaña, shimmering in Cartier, mingled with costars and hugged fans and friends, giving Kidman an especially tight squeeze. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026 Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back. — Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Noun
Mourners hug after the funeral service for 10-year-old Matilda, who was killed in the December 14 Bondi Beach shooting attack, in Sydney on December 18, 2025. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Lindsay Pruitt gives him a hug while checking out this week’s edition of Sip City’s Wine & Chill Wednesday, having walked the 500 steps from her front door. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 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
  • Her mother in Kearney, Francesca Gambino Brown, congratulated her on social media last week as Brown prepares for the upcoming football season.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
  • The sibling duo, locked in a hug, then headed up through the stands together as others congratulated Yamal on Spain’s win.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Unlike Hernandez, all of his digits remained intact, clasped together on the table.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
  • Hathaway clasped her hands over her face as Goldberg spoke, and eventually lowered her head to cry.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • Hawley criticized Fauci for accepting cash prizes from nonprofits that award money to people for outstanding achievements in given fields and for his embrace of celebrity at the height of the pandemic.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • Noah Kahan is pumping the brakes on the White House's embrace of his music.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • At its center, 121 human figures appear to cling to and climb over one another on a single towering block of granite.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • With help from a Fresno Police Department helicopter, crews located the man downstream on the Dry Creek Canal, clinging to the sides while holding onto the dog.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • If a ball is hit into foul territory and a fan makes the grab, the batter is out.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 27 July 2026
  • All nine seats on the Legislature are up for grabs in this year’s elections, with three incumbent legislators running to keep their seats.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The device features flexible side wings that can fold inward to cradle the head and neck.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • While standard flip-flops are generally relatively flat, these are made with plenty of arch support, along with deep heel cups to cradle your feet for full-day comfort.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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