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
The couple, who wore coordinating black and white outfits, happily hugged and kissed on the beach in the second and third shots.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
When the game was over, James hugged several of the Thunder players.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
After the match after the match, Asuka embraced and hugged Sky much to the crowd’s delight.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Jorge Mateo immediately followed with a solo blast that hugged the left-field line.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
People hugged and cheered around Delp, shifting positions and blocking the sofa without realizing the persistent pup was trying to push through just below them.
—Sara Vallone, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
In his press conference on Monday, Rosenior pointed out that one video of Fernandez appearing to walk past him after being substituted against Manchester United was cut before the player turned around and hugged him and shook his hand.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Daughter discusses case Amanda Hundley, one of Smith’s daughters, hugged her mother outside the courthouse after the hearing in March.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
When the game was over, James hugged several of the Thunder players.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
After the match after the match, Asuka embraced and hugged Sky much to the crowd’s delight.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Jorge Mateo immediately followed with a solo blast that hugged the left-field line.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
People hugged and cheered around Delp, shifting positions and blocking the sofa without realizing the persistent pup was trying to push through just below them.
—Sara Vallone, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
In his press conference on Monday, Rosenior pointed out that one video of Fernandez appearing to walk past him after being substituted against Manchester United was cut before the player turned around and hugged him and shook his hand.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Daughter discusses case Amanda Hundley, one of Smith’s daughters, hugged her mother outside the courthouse after the hearing in March.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
-
She was congratulated by Larson after the announcement at Goodwin University in East Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
John Kehriotis, a Kings minority owner, sat next to him and congratulated him.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Hands clasped, head bowed, blank and fair of face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
-
While the other candidates pressed their palms against the podiums, ready to pounce on every question, Becerra clasped his hands like an altar boy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reigns clung onto the referee and exposed a turnbuckle in the process.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Throughout the hall, people clung tightly to one another, wiping away each other’s tears.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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When he was found, deputies said Ortiz became belligerent, yelled at employees, threatened to harm them with a gun, and grabbed one of the resort employees.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Software engineers have increasingly embraced the tech to help write code, with 90% of tech workers using AI in their jobs, according to a September survey from Google’s research arm.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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