1
as in congratulating
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 clasping
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 hugging
The overall pessimism is leading people to stay put in their current jobs out of fear of facing a challenging job market, also known as job hugging.
—
Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
The crowd started kissing and hugging and crying — New Year’s Eve who?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Back in the 2010s, celebrities paired their wedge sneakers with everything from hot pants to cutoff denim shorts and body-hugging silhouettes like leggings and skinny jeans.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
After hugging Lamon, Hilty continued to cry, her costars Michelle Williams and Dee Roscioli offering her comfort.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
According to Cazenave, pathways that feel effortless with furniture not hugging the walls help the room feel immediately more gracious.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
Behind Jupe, his co-stars Joe Alwyn, Jessie Buckley — who also won the drama actress Golden Globe — and Paul Mescal looked on like proud parents, hugging each other.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This year, our favorite stars dazzled in figure-hugging silhouettes, bold hues, and impeccably intricate tailoring.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Jan. 2026
Márquez and Pilieri were seen hugging each other after their release.
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
The crowd started kissing and hugging and crying — New Year’s Eve who?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Back in the 2010s, celebrities paired their wedge sneakers with everything from hot pants to cutoff denim shorts and body-hugging silhouettes like leggings and skinny jeans.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
After hugging Lamon, Hilty continued to cry, her costars Michelle Williams and Dee Roscioli offering her comfort.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
According to Cazenave, pathways that feel effortless with furniture not hugging the walls help the room feel immediately more gracious.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
Behind Jupe, his co-stars Joe Alwyn, Jessie Buckley — who also won the drama actress Golden Globe — and Paul Mescal looked on like proud parents, hugging each other.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This year, our favorite stars dazzled in figure-hugging silhouettes, bold hues, and impeccably intricate tailoring.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Jan. 2026
Márquez and Pilieri were seen hugging each other after their release.
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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Daniel Girdler got plenty of text messages this week congratulating him on his recent engagement.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a video from a tournament last month posted to Hudl, Downes can be seen congratulating a member of the team by briefly tapping her backside after a match.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the speakers concluded, the crowd lingered, hugging and clasping hands before police announced the parking lot would be closed.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Flex your left knee at a 90-degree angle and place the rope around the mid-foot, clasping the rope with the right hand.—
Gerard Hartmann,
Outside,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cooper finally stops and helps Ariana to her feet, the two clinging to each other in relief.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Most notably, the Sabres held on when the ice was tilted in their direction clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Take after the actress by grabbing them in black, or choose from six additional colors, including burgundy and deep brown.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Healthy cooking often boils down to accessibility and convenience; busy lives can leave people grabbing less nutritious alternatives.—
Virginia Willis,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On November 19, 2025, the star stepped out for the film’s Berlin premiere, embracing the sheer trend in a sapphire gown that revealed a black bralette and silky boxer shorts underneath.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
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While there’s certainly a place for these aesthetics, consumers are now forgoing this less-is-more POV and embracing warmth, color, and a decidedly live-in look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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