1
as in congratulates
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 clasps
to put one's arms around and press tightly
Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hugs
Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
The slim fit style hugs your body comfortably and lays flat under clothing for all-day freshness under tops, sweaters, blazers, button-downs and more.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Top 5 Can’t Miss Set along the scenic Delaware River, Frenchtown hugs the D&R Canal State Park trail—perfect for walking, biking, tubing, kayaking, and even horseback riding in warmer months.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Joseph Cleveland hugs a victim support specialist from the prosecutor's office after Savala's guilty plea.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 7 May 2026
For a more modern fixture that hugs the wall tightly, go as large as 20 inches.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
Clover hugs the ground, rarely growing higher than two to eight inches.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
His Frisco address has a vehicle out front, but no one is answering the door, and a utility door hanger hugs his doorknob.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Ormerod is convinced the gondola will be a boon for the town that hugs Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County, 20 miles west of the Denver metro area.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Bakambu reaches him, lifts the younger man’s chin, and hugs him.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
The slim fit style hugs your body comfortably and lays flat under clothing for all-day freshness under tops, sweaters, blazers, button-downs and more.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Top 5 Can’t Miss Set along the scenic Delaware River, Frenchtown hugs the D&R Canal State Park trail—perfect for walking, biking, tubing, kayaking, and even horseback riding in warmer months.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Joseph Cleveland hugs a victim support specialist from the prosecutor's office after Savala's guilty plea.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 7 May 2026
For a more modern fixture that hugs the wall tightly, go as large as 20 inches.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026
Clover hugs the ground, rarely growing higher than two to eight inches.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
His Frisco address has a vehicle out front, but no one is answering the door, and a utility door hanger hugs his doorknob.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Ormerod is convinced the gondola will be a boon for the town that hugs Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County, 20 miles west of the Denver metro area.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
-
Don congratulates the rest of the team and continues to work, while Kate, Bailey and Erin celebrate with drinks together.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Occasionally, bottles of water and loaves of bread are distributed, and Lydia congratulates herself for having the discipline to make her slice last.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lindo laughs, clasps his hands together and raises them.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Keeping that hardshell closed is a pair of wide, beefy aluminum latches with a lower swing arm that clasps to a closure bar via a pair of hooks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Using tongs, lift the pasta out of the water and transfer it to the pan, bringing along any pasta water that clings and drips from the pasta.—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Yet there’s a strange karma that clings to the Cannes opener.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The many Fed Ex points (700) up for grabs that weekend?—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
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And LePage’s race in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, as well as House races overall, offers a good laboratory for Vance’s style of politics — there’s even an electoral vote in the state up for grabs in 2028.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Slightly unsettled embraces the unfinished with clothing that’s imperfect.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
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His music embraces vulnerability, exploring themes of heartbreak and isolation.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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