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
Russini resigned from her post at The Athletic amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel after photographs of them hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona, went viral. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Photos of Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting together in a hot tub at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post in March. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 4 Aug. 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
  • Pezeshkian congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his election as head of the group’s political bureau and told him Iran would continue supporting the Palestinian cause, according to a Hamas statement posted in Arabic, and reviewed by Fox News Digital.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The text is a reference to the song’s lyrics, which see Bad Bunny congratulating and thanking his parents for giving birth to him.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • In 1975, as Cold War tensions thawed, an American commander and his Soviet counterpart clasped hands in space after their spacecraft docked.
    — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
  • Unlike Hernandez, all of his digits remained intact, clasped together on the table.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • The surging popularity of democratic socialism on the left wing of American politics reflects the same dynamic—an embrace of socialism in theory that is, in practice, a complaint about malfunctioning consumer capitalism.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Ransom money was paid and searches were conducted as a country and a family clung to hope.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lyman clung to the hope that her son’s case would be different, and that Kaur would serve time behind bars for the collision.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • The front zippered pocket is convenient for storing quick-grab items like your phone, passport, and keys, while the bag’s interior is spacious enough to fit all your daily essentials.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Allen emerged as the star of the previous two days at camp, with offensive highlights that included a one-handed grab from quarterback Patrick Mahomes that went viral across social media.
    — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hug for Spanish Speakers

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