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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hugged
Daughter discusses case Amanda Hundley, one of Smith’s daughters, hugged her mother outside the courthouse in March.
—
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
All of us, too sensitive in my favorite ways, skin pulled back from our bones, hugged in a group and wept without words.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The massive muscles of her front legs hugged a boulder the size of a man.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Everyone wants to be hugged by Jennifer Garner.
—Alessandra Codinha, InStyle, 3 June 2026
The pair then hugged before Lillard walked over and seemingly congratulated them.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Supporters at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel hugged each other and shared congratulations.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
Renewing acquaintances in April, when the Giants visited San Diego this season for the first time, Preller chatted him up and hugged him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Some collapsed on the ground at the cave’s entrance and were hugged by a group of workers who cried in joy.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
All of us, too sensitive in my favorite ways, skin pulled back from our bones, hugged in a group and wept without words.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The massive muscles of her front legs hugged a boulder the size of a man.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Everyone wants to be hugged by Jennifer Garner.
—Alessandra Codinha, InStyle, 3 June 2026
The pair then hugged before Lillard walked over and seemingly congratulated them.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Supporters at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel hugged each other and shared congratulations.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
Renewing acquaintances in April, when the Giants visited San Diego this season for the first time, Preller chatted him up and hugged him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Some collapsed on the ground at the cave’s entrance and were hugged by a group of workers who cried in joy.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
-
Riquelme congratulated Pérez and accepted the result.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Members of the royal family also congratulated the couple on their new addition, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, who wrote a congratulatory message on their official Instagram account.—
Audrey Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Verb
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In Wake-Keeper (2026), a roughly four-by-five-foot canvas, a pious man draped in the red cloth of traditional Ghanaian funeral attire sits on a stool with his hands clasped, his body facing the left side of the frame.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
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With the entire circumference surrounded by a sea of humanity, Bishnoi hung back, her hands clasped in front of her mouth, while Rai went and lofted the Wanamaker Trophy above his head.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The Spurs clung to a seven-point lead at halftime, setting up a back-and-forth second half and a tight fourth quarter.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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The conflict dated back to 2012, but both sides clung to the animosity.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
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He's also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Yeatman embraced those quick adjustments, recalling that the entire crew quickly developed a shorthand that allowed everyone to seamlessly adjust to the needs of the production without having to stop and discuss every little change.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 June 2026
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Along with the saints found on El Mencho’s altar, another saint embraced in narco culture is the Santo Niño of Atocha, a childlike Christ figure known as the patron saint of prisoners and those in danger, said Robert Almonte, a law enforcement trainer and consultant in San Antonio, Texas.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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