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
When the hearing ended, Moore leaned over a courtroom barrier and hugged his wife.
—
Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Dozens of people handed out candles and hugged one another as stories were shared.
—Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
That day, Gaywan hugged the fathers of Saiyub and Kumar, who were waiting to meet him.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Some cried or hugged or prayed.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
After naming the crater Carroll, the four astronauts hugged while shedding tears and a moment of silence was observed in NASA Mission Control in Houston.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Pogačar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and warmly hugged each other after the finish.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
This time, Staley and Close hugged and shared a few words.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
The two hugged at one point during the show.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Dozens of people handed out candles and hugged one another as stories were shared.
—Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
That day, Gaywan hugged the fathers of Saiyub and Kumar, who were waiting to meet him.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Some cried or hugged or prayed.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
After naming the crater Carroll, the four astronauts hugged while shedding tears and a moment of silence was observed in NASA Mission Control in Houston.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Pogačar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and warmly hugged each other after the finish.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
This time, Staley and Close hugged and shared a few words.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
The two hugged at one point during the show.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
-
Board member Ann Maine congratulated Aitchison after the meeting.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The morning show host congratulated Sophia and Isabella — who went to different high schools — on their accomplishments with individual social media posts.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The oversized coat featured a single button along the collar, which Zendaya wore clasped over her cotton-poplin skirt, creating a voluminous silhouette with an airy effect.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As Keyla ran around the stage in a black dress adorned with crosses, Richie and Palmer clasped their hands in excitement.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When the Taliban took Kabul in 2021, the world watched as Afghans clung to departing planes, hoping desperation might carry them to safety.—
Sediqa Fahimi,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Purple-pink brittle stars still clung to the corals, their tendril-like arms wrapping around the branches like yarn.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deven Moore allegedly threatened to assault another person and grabbed an officer’s arms, according to court filings.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The paraeducator said Vaughn-Marcella allegedly grabbed the boy’s feet and dragged him 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom, according to the affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, is part of the wing of the American right that embraced Orbán.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These songs evince the mix of pop virtuosity and indie sleaze that would eventually make Larsson a cult artist, part of the lineage of straight white girls who are embraced as guardian angels for the gay club scene.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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