1
as in to congratulate
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 to clasp
to put one's arms around and press tightly
Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hug
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
On the subject of hugging, especially the man-on-man hug: Would someone please codify the rules for us guys?
—Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
Tiffany Taylor, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
On the subject of hugging, especially the man-on-man hug: Would someone please codify the rules for us guys?
—Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug 
Verb
It’s made of memory foam and shaped to hug the lower back and waist.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
On the subject of hugging, especially the man-on-man hug: Would someone please codify the rules for us guys?
—Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
Following her final bow, the show ended with a sentimental group hug with Swift, her dancers and backing vocalists.
—Tiffany Taylor, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
On the subject of hugging, especially the man-on-man hug: Would someone please codify the rules for us guys?
—Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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In response, the city's official Facebook page posted a statement congratulating Vance on Wednesday.Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2024
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To seal the night, a sky-high Principessa cake illuminated with sparklers made the rounds, as revelers congratulated the brand’s team and soaked in the festive atmosphere.Vogue, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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By late afternoon, Fernandez is dozing in his chair, mouth agape, hands clasped in his lap.Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
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But there Darnold was at Soldier Field, clasping his helmet with both hands and listening to coach Kevin O’Connell’s play calls.Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Less shock, more calculation The quick embrace by foreign leaders contrasts with eight years ago, when Trump unexpectedly won the presidency the first time.Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
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Hollywood star Olivia Wilde warns social media and the embrace of fame pose an existential threat to filmmaking as a storytelling art.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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There's no real margin of error just in terms of having something that's really festive and luscious, like a sauce that's just thick enough to want to cling to a spoon.Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024
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Didn’t Die / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Meera Menon, Screenwriter and Producer: Paul Gleason, Producers: Erica Fishman, Joe Camerota, Luke Patton) –– A podcast host desperately clings to an ever-shrinking audience in the zombie apocalypse.Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The remaining 8 million acres are up for grabs, but the state and conservation nonprofits hope to convince land owners to take conservation easements or sell to the state as opposed to developers.Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
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With two games separating all four teams within the NFC West, the division title remains up for grabs with three games left in the regular season.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In the carousel of photos, Brittany cradled her belly with her other hand.Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
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Grande, supporting her co-lead, reached for Erivo’s hand but wound up cradling her formidable fingernail instead, a moment that went viral on its own.Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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