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
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Pogačar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and warmly hugged each other after the finish.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 6 Apr. 2026
Texas coach Edrick Floréal made sure to sneak a hug with the future Longhorn afterward.
—Cory Mull, Austin American Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
On Tuesday, Busby, 28, stood outside the detention center with flowers and a smile waiting to hug his wife for the first time this year.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Pogačar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and warmly hugged each other after the finish.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
As Hansen concluded the announcement, the crew gathered around in Integrity to share a hug.
—Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 6 Apr. 2026
Texas coach Edrick Floréal made sure to sneak a hug with the future Longhorn afterward.
—Cory Mull, Austin American Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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Isaacman closed by congratulating the crew and the entire NASA team, along with the agency's international and commercial partners.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated the police late Saturday for the arrest.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Huddled close in Orion, the four astronauts reached out to clasp hands as Glover finished speaking.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The oversized coat featured a single button along the collar, which Zendaya wore clasped over her cotton-poplin skirt, creating a voluminous silhouette with an airy effect.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Pope Leo’s peaceful messaging stands in stark contrast to Trump’s embrace of military action in Iran and his administration’s cuts to Catholic charities that aid migrants.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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There, those leaving and those staying shared what could be the last embrace.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nutsedges have nut-like tubers clinging to them.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
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Imagine the ribs are a bottle and the mucus is the ketchup desperately clinging to its sides, Welsh says.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beck got his glove over the wall to make the grab, spun around and ran off the field smiling.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Loyola Marymount University law professor Jessica Levinson said that with key endorsements, such as labor, now back up for grabs, anyone can jump to the front of the pack.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now a new generation can cradle their own.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
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Cushion Valuables When Moving There's nothing better to cradle your breakable goods when moving or packing items for storage than a pillow.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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