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
During the ovation, Benny Safdie — the film’s director — hugged both his stars and joined Johnson in shedding tears of joy as the clapping continued.
—
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
In July, they were spotted on a date night in Lake Como, Italy, with Amal sporting a sparkly one-shoulder dress that hugged her figure with matching strappy heels, while the actor wore a dapper navy blue suit jacket and matching trousers.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Nearby, a 4-year-old girl named Eva hugged a plastic dinosaur and a Frozen wand in her arms.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
For anyone wondering, the French reporter jumped up and hugged me while our Argentine colleagues nearby either sat in stunned silence or slammed their desks in frustration.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
After learning he had been acquitted, Oliver hugged his defense team, the video shows.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Aug. 2025
Bliss and Flair hugged at the request of Flair and the Bell Centre.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The audience erupted into applause as the two women hugged before walking off the stage together.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
In July, they were spotted on a date night in Lake Como, Italy, with Amal sporting a sparkly one-shoulder dress that hugged her figure with matching strappy heels, while the actor wore a dapper navy blue suit jacket and matching trousers.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Nearby, a 4-year-old girl named Eva hugged a plastic dinosaur and a Frozen wand in her arms.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
For anyone wondering, the French reporter jumped up and hugged me while our Argentine colleagues nearby either sat in stunned silence or slammed their desks in frustration.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
After learning he had been acquitted, Oliver hugged his defense team, the video shows.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Aug. 2025
Bliss and Flair hugged at the request of Flair and the Bell Centre.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The audience erupted into applause as the two women hugged before walking off the stage together.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
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When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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At the end of August, the All The Queen’s Men actress congratulated her man on his new law office in a warm and lengthy post on Instagram.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the end, before Fallon reappeared, all pep and cheer, Forge clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, as if locked in prayer.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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There were only two worshippers, one in the water, hands clasped in prayer, and the other seated on the bottommost step, looking intently toward the river or maybe at the other bather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Even when Pegula rediscovered her ability to smother Sabalenka with deep returns to her backhand, the Belarusian clung onto her serve.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Chaos erupted at Miami International Airport early Tuesday when a woman from England allegedly snatched a 4-year-old boy from his mother at a checkpoint, clung to him, and refused to let go—while insisting the child was hers, according to deputies.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Twenty-four hours later, Ohtani entered the visiting clubhouse in Baltimore and grabbed his glove.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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During the argument, Martin grabbed a hammer from Lawson that Lawson had been using to repair a patio door and raised it above his head in a striking motion, Lawson said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, Edgell has since embraced baking full time, according to the outlet.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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As the Internet, and now AI, enabled increased firms’ capabilities, and customers acquired more power in the marketplace, the most successful firms were those that embraced startingly different principles.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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