hugs 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hug
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

hugs

2 of 2

noun

plural of hug
as in embraces

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hugs
Verb
The 154-mile stretch of Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage hugs the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, weaving among cliffs, boreal forest, and charming harbor towns. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 7 Aug. 2026 All of which hugs closely to the skin for a cologne that whispers rather than shouts. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026 Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back. — Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 Soft, stretchy temp-smart migraine cap features all-over gel padding that hugs your head to block out light and gently ease tension. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 Punta Bruja Nature Reserve hugs the resort, while the front of it faces the Pacific Ocean. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026 In another photo, Teigen hugs Esti while sitting on a carousel together. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Meanwhile in the Strait of Hormuz, a tanker has reported being hit by a missile while transiting the southern route of the waterway which hugs Oman’s coastline, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 The attacks took place when the tankers — Mombasa and Al Bahiyah — were sailing through the strait's southern shipping lane, which hugs the coast of Oman, the defense ministry said. — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
  1. congratulates
  2. clasps
  3. grabs
  4. clings
  5. embraces
Verb
  • As Ospreay walks away, Kenny Omega congratulates him on his performance at Forbidden Door.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of congratulates
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
Definition of clasps
Noun
  • The backup jobs are up for grabs, though, and Monk — who can also play center — appears to be in good shape to claim a spot on the 53-man roster.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Otherwise, the remaining lineup are all acquisition titles up for grabs at TIFF.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • Etna clings to a pre-war Edenic vision of his past to give himself purpose and destination.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout his wanderings, the uxorious Odysseus clings to a little doll figure, intended to represent his wife (like the spinning top clutched by Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Inception'); the real woman is barely more interesting.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of clings
Verb
  • In both shows, romance takes a back seat as a minor subplot, proving that WOCA (an acronym for women of a certain age that Ride Or Die fully embraces) are interested in more than love stories and relationship triangles.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Whether Congress ultimately embraces broader reform remains to be seen.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of embraces

Browse Nearby Words

hugging
hugs
hulk
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Cite this Entry

“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hugs

Nglish: Translation of hugs for Spanish Speakers

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