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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hug
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
In the black-and-white photo, Zendaya is all smiles as Holland hugs her from behind.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Fragrance experts say shoppers are trading bright, fresh-from-the-laundry-line scents for compositions that feel like a hug.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
His psychedelic paintings, sometimes painted in the style of Russian Orthodox icons, often depicted Putin with a bovine nose or hugging pigs.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
In the black-and-white photo, Zendaya is all smiles as Holland hugs her from behind.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Noun
Shoppers searching for perfume trends in 2026 are finding a major shift away from crisp, clean fragrances toward warm, cozy and edible-inspired scents that feel like a hug in a bottle.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Fragrance experts say shoppers are trading bright, fresh-from-the-laundry-line scents for compositions that feel like a hug.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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The video has racked up over 115,000 likes and thousands of comments, with many congratulating the mom-to-be.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, digging out my old Rod Brind'Amour Flyers jersey and congratulating the coach on his team's Stanley Cup Finals win.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Newlyweds Tito Avalos, 26, and Andrea Avalos, 24, who were visiting from El Salvador, tied their wishes to a tree together, their wrists entwined and fingers clasped.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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In Wake-Keeper (2026), a roughly four-by-five-foot canvas, a pious man draped in the red cloth of traditional Ghanaian funeral attire sits on a stool with his hands clasped, his body facing the left side of the frame.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
Noun
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The world’s second-largest economy has also weathered the historic energy crunch triggered by the conflict better than many of its neighbors – in particular due to its copious strategic oil reserves and embrace of green tech and electric vehicles.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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The new owner, Jasen Mark, snapped it up four years ago, then spent $8 million to turn a rundown resort into a new five-star property that artfully straddles modern amenities and a nostalgic embrace of simpler times.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Her face looked drawn, her eyes cast down, and her two-year-old granddaughter, Josephine, clung tightly to her side.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
13 June 2026
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The Toronto Blue Jays are clinging on in the American League playoff race, though that’s mostly thanks to a particularly weak field this year.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Collins led Dooley in the May 19 primary but neither surpassed 40%, leaving many Republican votes up for grabs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
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Texts, screen grabs, recordings and other records recovered from a search of Rinderknecht’s cellphones portray a man who was by turns lonely and livid, angry at billionaires and ex-romantic partners while seemingly scared about his own declining mental health.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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It's also designed to cradle and lock the heel in place, which contributes to a secure fit that prevents your feet from slipping out of the shoe mid-step.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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