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
Tony East, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Ozturk, who appeared remotely from Louisiana and testified before the court, was seen hugging her lawyer after Sessions delivered his decision from the bench.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2025
Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
My two little boys ran up to me, gave me a hug, and then, my oldest son Shaan pulled me aside.
—Reshma Saujani, Time, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
On one hand, the Pacers essentially had four-on-four opportunities with Haliburton and his defender all but hugging 30+-feet from the rim.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Ozturk, who appeared remotely from Louisiana and testified before the court, was seen hugging her lawyer after Sessions delivered his decision from the bench.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2025
Noun
Just put your arm around them, yeah, give her a hug.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
My two little boys ran up to me, gave me a hug, and then, my oldest son Shaan pulled me aside.
—Reshma Saujani, Time, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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A couple of the guys congratulated me [on this award], which felt really, really good.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
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Niles North Principal Marlon Felton, in his first year as the school’s principal, congratulated the class of 2025 in his encouraging remarks to them and their families.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The bronze monument depicts the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, clasping arms.—
Ken Makin,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 May 2025
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In France for the world premiere of Lee’s new film, Washington pointed his finger, spoke animatedly and clasped the arm of the photographer, who smiled his way through the exchange.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The bitcoin price has rocketed over the last two years, turbo-charged by Wall Street adoption led by the world’s largest asset manager BlackRock and then U.S. president Donald Trump’s embrace of the technology (with Elon Musk quietly plotting what could be a bitcoin price game-changer).—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The starkest example is the embrace of a revisionist telling of the Capitol riots that plays down the violence that Biden-era Justice Department officials labeled as domestic terrorism.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Fence bears out With snow still clinging to mountainsides and bears still asleep, some 30 people have shown up in a converted Fernie railway station to discuss grizzly bear coexistence.—
Lesley Evans Ogden,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Listen to this article The Queens single mom clinging to life after being savagely beaten and robbed of her e-bike on Randalls Island was left unconscious on the ground for nearly six hours before she was discovered by a passerby the next morning, the Daily News has learned.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Noun
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So many current-season pieces are included in the Memorial Day clothing markdowns, meaning plenty of summer’s biggest fashion trends are up for grabs.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
22 May 2025
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Another coveted timepiece up for grabs is a Ref. 2524, of which fewer than 50 examples were made.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Contributor Nick Mafi loves this bed for its cradling comfort and the brand’s manufacturing practices.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2025
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The cork-and-latex footbed is shaped to support your arch and cradle the heel, which helps keep your foot stable all day long.—
Lauren Paige Richeson,
Health,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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