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
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Check the label for height and spread, as some grow large and mounding while others hug the ground.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Ronnie Li, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
When the game was over, James hugged several of the Thunder players.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Check the label for height and spread, as some grow large and mounding while others hug the ground.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Noun
Watch the video above to see Sarah share her first hug with her mother after 24 years apart.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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She was congratulated by Larson after the announcement at Goodwin University in East Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson himself, congratulated Francis Mauigoa on social media when the Giants drafted him to be their new starting right guard in April.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Hands clasped, head bowed, blank and fair of face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
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McDaniels held onto Murray for dear life — often literally clasping his jersey — as the Nuggets tried to run him off every conceivable screen.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Noun
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To take plants seriously as living, breathing, conscious, and communicative beings, the movie suggests, requires a measure of time, an embrace of solitude, and a retreat from the hectic anxieties of the modern world.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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My mother and Barron had a distinct bond, beginning with her gentle embrace.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Reigns clung onto the referee and exposed a turnbuckle in the process.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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Few things cling to everything and can get everywhere like sand, so use it to give beach supplies and accessories the once-over before heading home.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Key, the brother of Broncos safety Devon Key, fought off good coverage from UDFA cornerback Brent Austin to make a fantastic back-shoulder grab down the left sideline in a later 11-on-11 period.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
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The show will feature five matches with two titles up for grabs – the World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Defying rigid architecture, the home’s interior features free-flowing lines and curves that cradle a freestanding soaking tub, sculptural walk-in shower, fireplace, and spacious beds.—
Kristin Braswell,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
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The defendant would cradle the victim with his arms.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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