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
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Recent Examples of hugs
Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Yet Massie’s partnership with Paul could pay off anyway, in a district that hugs the Ohio River and includes the Cincinnati suburbs and tiny hamlets like Mount Olivet.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Rent a bike and pedal the picturesque eight-mile loop that hugs the shoreline, pausing to dip your toes in the lake.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
While not all V-neck styles prevent spillage, the stretchy material hugs your body without putting pressure on your ribs or chest.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Along a dirt road off the narrow highway that hugs the northern shore the taro leaves extend like waving hands from the quilt of rectangular pools so shallow that the birds in them stand with their leg joints exposed.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
The biocellulose of the mask sheet itself holds 100x its weight in serum and hugs the contours of the face for optimum serum delivery.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The oldest neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove is a sedate enclave that hugs Biscayne Bay about a dozen miles from South Beach—but up to an hour by car during peak traffic—with the iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as its cultural and architectural center.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
The bra is made of a silky fabric that’s lightweight and smoothing for a fit that hugs you and stays hidden under clothes.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Yet Massie’s partnership with Paul could pay off anyway, in a district that hugs the Ohio River and includes the Cincinnati suburbs and tiny hamlets like Mount Olivet.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Rent a bike and pedal the picturesque eight-mile loop that hugs the shoreline, pausing to dip your toes in the lake.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
While not all V-neck styles prevent spillage, the stretchy material hugs your body without putting pressure on your ribs or chest.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Along a dirt road off the narrow highway that hugs the northern shore the taro leaves extend like waving hands from the quilt of rectangular pools so shallow that the birds in them stand with their leg joints exposed.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
The biocellulose of the mask sheet itself holds 100x its weight in serum and hugs the contours of the face for optimum serum delivery.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The oldest neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove is a sedate enclave that hugs Biscayne Bay about a dozen miles from South Beach—but up to an hour by car during peak traffic—with the iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as its cultural and architectural center.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
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At the last tip meeting, Kerry congratulates his crew on a job well done.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
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Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes congratulates players after a first half scoring drive against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field on September 6, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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,
18 Sep. 2025
-
If culture clings to comfort, strategy will snap at the first bend.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Whereas the 2025 best new artist competition was unusually stacked, the 2026 trophy appears fully up for grabs, with very few sure-thing nominees by the time the eligibility period closed at the end of August.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
2 Oct. 2025
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His 282 receiving yards lead the team, as do his 11 first-down grabs.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Inside its new home, Elanco embraces animal pharmaceuticals.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, two teenagers, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind), get drawn into the school’s grip, testing their friendship as one seeks freedom while the other embraces the academy’s promise of transformation.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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