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
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
Jackie Sandler hugs it out with her daughter Sunny Sandler at the Baby2Baby Mother's Day celebration in Los Angeles on April 23.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The community, which hugs Norway’s southwestern coast, received the study's highest longevity score thanks to its top environmental conditions and quality of life (ranked 4th worldwide).
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Jackie Sandler hugs it out with her daughter Sunny Sandler at the Baby2Baby Mother's Day celebration in Los Angeles on April 23.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
The community, which hugs Norway’s southwestern coast, received the study's highest longevity score thanks to its top environmental conditions and quality of life (ranked 4th worldwide).
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
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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
-
Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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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Dust clings to screens, cobwebs build in rafters, pollen films over furniture and grit packs into door tracks.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The large-scale return of the supposedly canceled can’t be blamed on collective amnesia, or even a public that clings to plausible deniability.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That vibe lives on at Jacaranda, with just 30 seats up for grabs, including a six-seat communal table.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
7 May 2026
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Another position on the back end that’s up for grabs will be safety.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Being forced to parent his child sours Danny’s attitude during the outing to the amusement park, while Nia embraces the rare child-free moment.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
McKenna embraces every inch of Piggy’s awkwardness, every desperate plea for acceptance and friendship, without polish or artificiality.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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