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
Tuttle attended the screening of A Letter To David – The Complete Version and, following the conservative backlash this week, Shoval posted a picture of the festival director hugging him before the 2025 premiere.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
The loafer is made with an arch-hugging insole that supports your foot’s natural alignment to keep foot fatigue away.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
The model sported a simple, body-hugging navy dress with a low scooped back.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Where many ski pants tend to sag or trap too much volume around the leg, Fusalp pants are slim and sleek, hugging in all the right places.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
His political campaign is spinning into high gear, posting videos showing him as a pious governor holding a Bible, praying and hugging pastors.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The two-story home, which was built in 2020 by Canadian architect Trevor McIvor and previously served as a private property, sits at the end of a narrow, tree-hugging road that opens onto a lake and stretches of northern sky.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
During the closing minutes of the women’s figure skating free skate last Thursday, the American was hugging and consoling two Japanese competitors whose results fell short of their respective expectations.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Purple Pixie® Loropetalum maintains its ground-hugging stature without pruning.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
The loafer is made with an arch-hugging insole that supports your foot’s natural alignment to keep foot fatigue away.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026
The model sported a simple, body-hugging navy dress with a low scooped back.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
Where many ski pants tend to sag or trap too much volume around the leg, Fusalp pants are slim and sleek, hugging in all the right places.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
His political campaign is spinning into high gear, posting videos showing him as a pious governor holding a Bible, praying and hugging pastors.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
The two-story home, which was built in 2020 by Canadian architect Trevor McIvor and previously served as a private property, sits at the end of a narrow, tree-hugging road that opens onto a lake and stretches of northern sky.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
During the closing minutes of the women’s figure skating free skate last Thursday, the American was hugging and consoling two Japanese competitors whose results fell short of their respective expectations.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Purple Pixie® Loropetalum maintains its ground-hugging stature without pruning.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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After taking his skis off, Klæbo sat hunched over, staring into the snow, before standing up and congratulating his teammates and the rest of the finishers.—
Nathaniel Herz,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
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Malinin was magnanimous afterward, hugging and congratulating surprise gold medalist Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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Olympic nails have been seen clasping medals on more than one occasion.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His return comes at an opportune time, with the Panthers clinging to fading hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs to try to win a third consecutive title and with injuries still hampering the team.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
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Unlike John Cornyn, who’s become a desperate shell of a man clinging to power, my campaign is not about attacking someone else’s family.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Indiana lawmakers are expected to vote on some spotlight-grabbing bills today, including one that would pave the way for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Smart House Inc dryer vent cleaner is an effective tool for grabbing lint that clogs hoses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mercury, the messenger, is embracing beauteous Venus in your 10th House of Drive.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
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Thank you for embracing our roots.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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