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
Photos originally published by the New York Post’s Page Six showed the coach and journalist holding hands, hugging and sitting in a pool in bathing suits at a resort bungalow in Sedona, Arizona.
—
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 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
Moments later, the video showed another male walking up to the females and hugging them.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
The photos, which were recently published by the New York Post, show the two in bathing suits at a pool and also hugging on a rooftop.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
This polka-dot midi skirt is full of flirty details, from its curve-hugging silhouette to its flowy hem that’s made for twirling.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
And before all of that, there was Augusta in 1997— Tiger in that red shirt, hugging his father Earl after winning his first Masters.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In the photo, Martin can be seen hugging her cast members on stage while holding a bouquet of flowers and a handful of wigs.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 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
Moments later, the video showed another male walking up to the females and hugging them.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
The photos, which were recently published by the New York Post, show the two in bathing suits at a pool and also hugging on a rooftop.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
This polka-dot midi skirt is full of flirty details, from its curve-hugging silhouette to its flowy hem that’s made for twirling.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
And before all of that, there was Augusta in 1997— Tiger in that red shirt, hugging his father Earl after winning his first Masters.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In the photo, Martin can be seen hugging her cast members on stage while holding a bouquet of flowers and a handful of wigs.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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In a recent Oprah Daily Instagram post congratulating The Oprah Podcast’s recent Webby Award nomination, the media mogul wore a professional-looking two-piece outfit, complete with wide-leg beige pants with gold accents and a matching button-down shirt.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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Isaacman closed by congratulating the crew and the entire NASA team, along with the agency's international and commercial partners.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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With some of these moths clinging to survival in only the most fragile habitats, the research offers both a window into Hawaiʻi’s deep evolutionary history and an urgent call to preserve what remains.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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To prevent the clinging dust from pilling, Fritz says to first vacuum with a clean brush, then run a damp microfiber cloth across the surface every few weeks.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Reaves, meanwhile, spent much of the first quarter grabbing at his back.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The last three, four, five years everybody is embracing this rugged styling.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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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 13 Apr. 2026.
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