Synonyms of hug

hug 1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg 

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

• congratulate
• compliment
• cheer
• salute
• commend
• applaud
• felicitate
• praise
• hail
• extol
• laud
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• discount
• diminish
• decry
• put down
• write off
• disparage
• belittle
• depreciate
• deprecate
• tease
• taunt
• mock
• cry down
• bad-mouth
• ridicule
• jeer

2

as in to clasp

to put one's arms around and press tightly

Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clasp
• cling
• grab
• embrace
• cradle
• wrap
• bear-hug
• hold
• grasp
• enfold
• pat
• snuggle
• crush
• enclasp
• strain
• grip
• bosom
• clamp
• cuddle
• fold
• encircle
• envelop
• lock
• stroke
• nuzzle
• pet
• fondle
• nestle
• embosom
• entwine
• enwind
• twine

hug

2 of 2

noun

as in embrace

Related Words

• embrace
• grab
• clinch
• foothold
• seizure
• footing
• purchase
• leverage
• toehold
• anchorage
• clasp
• grasp
• grip
• clench
• hold
• handhold
• grapple
• handgrip

Dissimilar Words

• release
• relinquishment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hug

Verb

Normal life, unfortunately, has fewer dramatic entrances, fewer reasons to hug complete strangers and almost no acceptable opportunities to throw a drink into the air. — Maria Santana, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

The man hugged a bag, the woman shouted and flailed her arms, and the young teenage boy pulled at his sister, who seemed stupefied. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026

Noun

And when that plane landed back in Houston, at the very same gate, Anne left me with a hug. — Tanner Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

The single-leg squat to knee hug and lunge targets single-leg stability, single-leg glute and hamstring activation and stability in a split-squat lunge. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026