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
The Heaven’s 27 parents hugged and talked easily with one another, but their tired eyes always seemed a breath away from tears.
—
Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
The garment hugged her midsection in before fluttering out over her hips.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 June 2026
Among thousands of Australians and visitors on Manly Beach across from Sydney Harbour in 2000, strangers cried and hugged as the Olympic torch relay passed.
—Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
The midi-length number featured a textured bodice with a sweetheart neckline that hugged her body through her upper thighs.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 June 2026
Strangers shook hands and hugged.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Strangers shook hands and hugged.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
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
Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
The garment hugged her midsection in before fluttering out over her hips.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 June 2026
Among thousands of Australians and visitors on Manly Beach across from Sydney Harbour in 2000, strangers cried and hugged as the Olympic torch relay passed.
—Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026
The midi-length number featured a textured bodice with a sweetheart neckline that hugged her body through her upper thighs.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 June 2026
Strangers shook hands and hugged.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Strangers shook hands and hugged.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
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The statement followed an Instagram Stories post in which Gomez congratulated the Knicks for their 107-106 victory over the Spurs after trailing by 29 points at one point in the game.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
-
Riquelme congratulated Pérez and accepted the result.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Newlyweds Tito Avalos, 26, and Andrea Avalos, 24, who were visiting from El Salvador, tied their wishes to a tree together, their wrists entwined and fingers clasped.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Her face looked drawn, her eyes cast down, and her two-year-old granddaughter, Josephine, clung tightly to her side.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
13 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Forward Natasha Howard scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lynx (12-3), who have won 10 of their past 11 games.—
John W. Davis,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
-
Police said one officer grabbed his gun and another grabbed his taser.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The two embraced and Rick dropped a kiss on his boy’s forehead.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The 7-foot Towns, always a standout scorer and rebounder, embraced much more responsibility as a facilitator in these playoffs, an adjustment the Knicks made after falling behind 2-1 in their first-round series against the Hawks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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