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
Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Audrey hugs her dad first before giving Barrymore a big hug and introducing herself to the crowd.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
An elegant alternative is this button-down ruched maxi satin dress, which hugs all the right places without clinging to your curves.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Kacie wins, and Patrick hugs her and gives her the ring back.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
The slip-on hybrid heel features a wider elastic strap that hugs the foot, with a heel also measuring 78mm.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
The fit-and-flare style hugs your chest and waist for a flattering fit, and the wide skirt can flow in the breeze for breathable comfort.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Council approved the map that hugs the perimeter of the extended Cal Fire map, following Oak Place to Wildcat Creek to Douglas Lane to Fruitvale Avenue to Crisp Avenue to El Camino Grande to Montevista Drive.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 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
Verb
Edgy and ledgy, the narrow passage hugs the cliff face above the valley floor.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Audrey hugs her dad first before giving Barrymore a big hug and introducing herself to the crowd.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
An elegant alternative is this button-down ruched maxi satin dress, which hugs all the right places without clinging to your curves.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Kacie wins, and Patrick hugs her and gives her the ring back.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
The slip-on hybrid heel features a wider elastic strap that hugs the foot, with a heel also measuring 78mm.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
The fit-and-flare style hugs your chest and waist for a flattering fit, and the wide skirt can flow in the breeze for breathable comfort.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Council approved the map that hugs the perimeter of the extended Cal Fire map, following Oak Place to Wildcat Creek to Douglas Lane to Fruitvale Avenue to Crisp Avenue to El Camino Grande to Montevista Drive.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
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At the tip meeting, Sandy congratulates the interior team and, in so many gentle words, tells the deck team to do better.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
This happens when creosote—a tar-like residue that clings to the inside of the chimney—ignites.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In Eastpointe, where two city council seats were up for grabs, one of two councilmembers lost a reelection bid to a newcomer for the four-year seat, according to unofficial results.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Some 70 timepieces are up for grabs, with many not seen in several decades.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Change Agent leads with resilience, embraces uncertainty and helps teams move confidently through transformation.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The car embraces elegance without compromising on performance philosophy.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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