1
as in congratulated
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 clasped
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 hugged
Men’s jeans were stiff and creased and t-shirts fit close to the body and hugged the biceps but did not squeeze them.
—
José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 Mar. 2026
As the City bench erupted following Erling Haaland’s late winner, Guardiola and Foden hugged each other in a way that a father and son probably would.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Anything that the future Hall-of-Famer has to say about Fermin’s readiness as a full-time starter could have been passed along well before the two hugged at home plate in Surprise last month.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Since his initial rejection, Punch has been filmed being hugged by an adult monkey, groomed (apparently a high honor in monkey society), and seems to be making friends.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
On a recent day, Punch was seen climbing on the back of another monkey, sitting with adults and sometimes getting groomed or hugged.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
When Shaqir O’Neal hugged his formidably famous father to cap a satisfying Senior Night experience, the slender 6-foot-8 Sacramento State forward leaned in to listen, and then laughed.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The Sinners actor hugged his co-star Delroy Lindo and his mom before taking the stage.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
The players hugged teammates on the bench before racing onto the court to celebrate.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 7 Mar. 2026
As the City bench erupted following Erling Haaland’s late winner, Guardiola and Foden hugged each other in a way that a father and son probably would.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Anything that the future Hall-of-Famer has to say about Fermin’s readiness as a full-time starter could have been passed along well before the two hugged at home plate in Surprise last month.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Since his initial rejection, Punch has been filmed being hugged by an adult monkey, groomed (apparently a high honor in monkey society), and seems to be making friends.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
On a recent day, Punch was seen climbing on the back of another monkey, sitting with adults and sometimes getting groomed or hugged.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
When Shaqir O’Neal hugged his formidably famous father to cap a satisfying Senior Night experience, the slender 6-foot-8 Sacramento State forward leaned in to listen, and then laughed.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The Sinners actor hugged his co-star Delroy Lindo and his mom before taking the stage.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
The players hugged teammates on the bench before racing onto the court to celebrate.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
-
Ellison congratulated the motion picture group led by Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Argyle forward Emma King (10), center, reacts after being named Most Valuable player as she is congratulated by teammates Wrigley Green (5), left, and Lexi Ehrhardt (20) following the Lady Eagles' 51-42 victory over Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill to claim the state championship.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sitting in a back room at ExtraMile Arena last weekend, Miller clasped hands with old teammate Steve Barrett, who helped pull him to his feet after an hourlong interview with the Statesman.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
-
As the final seconds ticked down, Bishop’s senior Lotte Lightner clasped the hand of a teammate on the bench and then bounced up to cheer.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many are asking whether millions of people who have clung to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and to liberation more broadly, will return to Persia’s streets and face the brutal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij.—
Felice Friedson,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The specks of warmth salvaged from the inside of the patrol car, which had clung to his skin under his gray sweatpants and hooded striped sweatshirt, soon fell away.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tiller also made an impact as a rim protector and grabbed four offensive rebounds.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Ricks grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began to stab Sanchez multiple times, court records showed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meryl Streep made the character an icon—and in the years since the film premiered in 2006, Wintour has more or less embraced the comparisons.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
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The team has embraced me, the organization from the front office to my teammates to the coaching staff.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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