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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

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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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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
The tailored dress hugged Vergara’s frame at the top but delivering a more relaxed fit on the skirt. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 After capturing the title, Byrd celebrated by hugging his coaches and supporters. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
Her mom smiled with happiness, and then the two shared a warm hug as Williams wiped tears from her eyes. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 At Nebraska’s northern border with South Dakota, the hills and hollows of Highway 12 hug the Missouri River from Ponca to Valentine. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 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
  • When Reddick won the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell and chief operating officer Ben Kennedy were among the first to congratulate Jordan, the trio embracing in a hall outside Jordan’s suite.
    — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • But if the awards season goes as the streamer plans, a journey that began in Cannes with a rapturous standing ovation, could end with Los Javis clasping some golden statues.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Davis stood with his lawyer as the verdict was read, then sat with his hands clasped on the table.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • After Alvarez rounded the bases, the two met at home plate and shared a long embrace before walking back to the dugout.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The production was full of nostalgia for an imagined past when the small screen was more ascendant and apolitical, with tributes to Charlie’s Angels and Dolly Parton shirking any embrace of the form’s progressive history.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • In his latest movie, Johnny Knoxville nearly gets electrocuted on a fence and pees himself, clings to the hood of a speeding jeep, and suffers numerous other physical abuses.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • With the Marlins clinging to faint playoff hopes, Alcantara came out of the bullpen for the first time in nine years and closed out a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • Still, if Curl doesn’t make a clutch diving grab as the ball nosedived toward the grass, that’s merely an incomplete pass that no one remembers.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Armstrong continued to bolster his case for NL MVP, drawing a four-pitch walk, scoring twice and making a leaping grab at the center-field wall to rob Miami’s Heriberto Hernández of a potential extra-base hit in the sixth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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