Synonyms of hugging

hugging

verb

present participle of hug

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

• congratulating
• complimenting
• cheering
• saluting
• applauding
• felicitating
• praising
• commending
• hailing
• extolling
• lauding
• glorifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimizing
• diminishing
• discounting
• decrying
• disparaging
• belittling
• depreciating
• deprecating
• writing off
• putting down
• teasing
• taunting
• mocking
• ridiculing
• jeering
• bad-mouthing
• crying down

2

as in clasping

to put one's arms around and press tightly

Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clasping
• clinging
• cradling
• grabbing
• embracing
• holding
• wrapping
• grasping
• enfolding
• bear-hugging
• crushing
• snuggling
• patting
• straining
• enclasping
• clamping
• encircling
• stroking
• gripping
• folding
• cuddling
• enveloping
• locking
• nuzzling
• petting
• fondling
• twining
• entwining
• nestling
• bosoming
• embosoming
• enwinding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hugging

Other photos included in the post showed Loughlin with friends, hugging a dog and relaxing outdoors. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Elsewhere in the brief video, shot at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City, Hadid and Kelce were seen hugging and snapping photos together. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026

Now a photo of Morris, in a white fur jacket hugging busbee, sits on the mantel next to a collection of awards and a Wheaties box with her face on it. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026

More than a hundred people gathered Saturday night for a candlelight vigil on the quad at William Jewell, sharing tearful stories, hugging and honoring a beloved teammate, student, friend and son. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026

As the end approached, families moved out, one at a time, hugging and saying goodbyes to each other outside their dorms. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Many of those in attendance brought their own stories of mental health crises of their own or loved ones, with individuals in the crowd hugging and sharing with each other after the moment of silence Thursday. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

There are no roads linking communities along the more than 650 kilometers (406 miles) of Choco's coastline hugging the Pacific Ocean to the interior. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

This was promptly followed by rapidly moving ground-hugging clouds of blistering hot gas and rock fragments, a phenomenon called pyroclastic flow. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026