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

Kardashian has been a longtime fan of statement-making shoes, often balancing her figure-hugging clothing choices with bold platform heels. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Schwarzenegger and Newsom piled praise upon each other during the Wednesday afternoon discussion, hugging at the end. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Videos circulated on the internet show two young men escorting the robot toward a group of women, bumping into one and hugging others, on a lively nighttime street. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

The fact that shoes are getting slimmer and slimmer may feel somewhat new, but the sole-hugging footwear is actually just a continuation of a popular style from the ’90s. — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026

The quartier is extremely walkable, safe, and relatively easy to navigate, hugging both sides of the port with tiny alleys. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Trinity managed to capture the proposal moment, and the happy couple hugging and kissing afterward. — Kati Weis, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

After the game, where Wilson dominated yet again, leading all scorers with 36 points, along with 10 rebounds, Wilson was seen hugging team owner Mark Davis, as well as friends, and her mother, Eva Rakes Wilson. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

But as reporters entered the clubhouse Wednesday, the 36-year-old was walking around the room hugging each player, including reliever Erik Miller, who entered the game for him in the fifth and immediately gave up a run. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026