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
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
During a May 2026 appearance on Today, anchor Savannah Guthrie noted how Brunson hugs Hargitay after every game.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The sundeck hugs a 100-foot-long swimming pool, and there’s an indoor option in the spa for the cooler months.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Made from a soft and stretchy cotton blend, the pair hugs in all the right places and works wonders in the butt-lifting department.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 May 2026
It’s made with a stretchy outer fabric and an inner layer of mesh along the waist and tummy, which smoothes your midsection and hugs your waist.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
The two-term Democrat is running in the new 25th Congressional District, which hugs the coast from Delray Beach in the north, through Broward, and ends in Miami Beach.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hugs Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus after the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium London on Monday.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Bakambu reaches him, lifts the younger man’s chin, and hugs him.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Verb
This pair also features a stretchy knit upper that hugs your feet, plus a memory foam insole for cushioning.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
During a May 2026 appearance on Today, anchor Savannah Guthrie noted how Brunson hugs Hargitay after every game.
—Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
The sundeck hugs a 100-foot-long swimming pool, and there’s an indoor option in the spa for the cooler months.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Made from a soft and stretchy cotton blend, the pair hugs in all the right places and works wonders in the butt-lifting department.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 May 2026
It’s made with a stretchy outer fabric and an inner layer of mesh along the waist and tummy, which smoothes your midsection and hugs your waist.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
The two-term Democrat is running in the new 25th Congressional District, which hugs the coast from Delray Beach in the north, through Broward, and ends in Miami Beach.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hugs Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus after the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium London on Monday.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Bakambu reaches him, lifts the younger man’s chin, and hugs him.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
-
This logic would not have barred any of the Jim Crow voting devices that the Roberts Court frequently congratulates itself and the nation for overcoming.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
-
Trump congratulates the Swanson family.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
-
Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Baggy jeans, easy dresses, and flattering shorts are all up for grabs, plus durable (and adorable) accessories from $24.—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
-
At Real Madrid, however, those central roles are up for grabs but so too is the right flank.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
When a roach walks through an area treated with boric acid, the dust clings to its body, later attacking its nervous system when ingested.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
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The species also clings to a handful of shrinking water sources along its namesake river in northern Mexico.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Spanning 3000 square feet across two floors, the club was designed by Studio Munge and embraces an urban-meets-nature aesthetic.—
Amanda Lauren,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Jordyn Woods and Ben Stiller celebrate after the game as Timothée Chalamet embraces his girlfriend of three years, Kylie Jenner, at the moment of victory.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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