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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hugging
Lavender juxtaposed with ambroxan makes this scent read as fresh, with musk and beachside woods ground it into a skin-hugging base.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
The photos appear to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting a hot tub and a swimming pool.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Above, Meghan is pictured hugging a patient's family member.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The New York Post‘s publication of the photos, which showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging, promoted an investigation at The Athletic.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
From shoulder-grazing long bobs to cheekbone-hugging mini bobs, this cut can have anyone tempted to make the big chop.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
They were spotted hugging and apparently dancing.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
They've been seen hugging, cheering each other on, snapping photos of one another, and more.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026
But that big gap in the middle—and the fact that many ships are hugging the northern shoreline—shows that captains were not eager to test the open-sea route without Tehran's approval.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
The photos appear to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting a hot tub and a swimming pool.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Above, Meghan is pictured hugging a patient's family member.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The New York Post‘s publication of the photos, which showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging, promoted an investigation at The Athletic.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026
From shoulder-grazing long bobs to cheekbone-hugging mini bobs, this cut can have anyone tempted to make the big chop.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
They were spotted hugging and apparently dancing.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
They've been seen hugging, cheering each other on, snapping photos of one another, and more.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026
But that big gap in the middle—and the fact that many ships are hugging the northern shoreline—shows that captains were not eager to test the open-sea route without Tehran's approval.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
-
Please join us in congratulating Christine on this exciting next chapter.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After congratulating Swayman, the Bruins gathered at center ice and raised their sticks to salute their fans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The june bug falls to the bottom of the bag but manages to recover from a new round of kicking by clasping to a leaf.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Magic weren’t supposed to be here, clinging to survival in the play-in tournament.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
On the walk back to the inn, Henry veered off the trail to pick up a fallen branch, gray and forked with one crisp leaf clinging obstinately on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The last three, four, five years everybody is embracing this rugged styling.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
His remarks sparked a torrent of criticism on social media, where some commentators faulted him for embracing technology that could kill jobs in the entertainment industry.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
