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 new Fast & Furious coaster that has been revving its engines during test runs around the hillside-hugging track will soon get the green flag to officially start racing with thrill seekers on board at Universal Studios Hollywood.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Available in 19 versatile washes, these hip-hugging jeans gradually flare out to a bootcut leg.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Given Brazil's low latitude, Skov explained that the glow was most likely diffuse equatorial aurora penetrating through the South Atlantic Anomaly, rather than a SAR arc, which is more commonly found hugging the horizon.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Back at Chalmers, Mckinley Morris watched his kindergartner bound toward Crockett, hugging him before racing through the colorful entryway.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
But so many people were hugging me and grabbing my hand – apparently the worst thing that can happen to a bodyguard.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Mourinho shot off down the touchline, fingers jabbing the air, hugging a ballboy in jubilation.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Rather than hugging the body anywhere, this year’s class of wide-leg jeans shoot out from the waistband.
—Andrea Bossi, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
They had been caught hugging and kissing in a public bathroom.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Available in 19 versatile washes, these hip-hugging jeans gradually flare out to a bootcut leg.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Given Brazil's low latitude, Skov explained that the glow was most likely diffuse equatorial aurora penetrating through the South Atlantic Anomaly, rather than a SAR arc, which is more commonly found hugging the horizon.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Back at Chalmers, Mckinley Morris watched his kindergartner bound toward Crockett, hugging him before racing through the colorful entryway.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
But so many people were hugging me and grabbing my hand – apparently the worst thing that can happen to a bodyguard.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Mourinho shot off down the touchline, fingers jabbing the air, hugging a ballboy in jubilation.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Rather than hugging the body anywhere, this year’s class of wide-leg jeans shoot out from the waistband.
—Andrea Bossi, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
They had been caught hugging and kissing in a public bathroom.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
-
Manuel Alarcon, her father, was seated in the crowd, clasping his hands in rapt attention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
To keep the jewelry clean, Glasser covered them in bubblegum wrappers, removing them before clasping the dress in place.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once the dominant narrative of the post-pandemic market, the group of homeowners clinging to rates below 3% is shrinking.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Keep the Feeder Clean Keeping your hummingbird feeder clean, so that no liquid food is clinging to the surface, is a good way to deter ants (and other bugs like bees) from being attracted to it.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Not every retailer is deploying AI in headline-grabbing ways, but many are intentionally building the foundations that make the technology viable.—
Peter Sadera,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
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Another handwashing no-no is touching the phone, then grabbing clean tongs without washing hands.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Global flavors are booming, too, with consumers embracing options like Korean barbecue, Thai curry and sriracha blends.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Bianca Balti, after warmly embracing Chiara Ferragni, was equally excited.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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