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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hug
Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
On the other side of that tunnel of fans, looking like an Irish Andy Dufresne, McIlroy eventually ran out of people to hug.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Kenya even gives her a hug, and somehow, that’s still not good enough.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
On her Instagram Stories, Cavallari also shared a promotional video for the new Uncommon James items, which featured some sweet mother-daughter moments, including a scene where the two hold hands, hug each other and make a pinky promise.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
On the other side of that tunnel of fans, looking like an Irish Andy Dufresne, McIlroy eventually ran out of people to hug.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
After giving Oscar-winner and host Mikey Madison a hug, Wallen walked off the stage toward the side of the camera without acknowledging the other cast members.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Kenya even gives her a hug, and somehow, that’s still not good enough.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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After the 49ers won the AFC Championship against the Detroit Lions in January 2024, Mindy congratulated her husband in an Instagram reel that featured a montage of herself and their kids on the field.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Residents Dan Lee was among those who congratulated House as well as village clerk and trustee candidates who ran on the Clean House slate.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the audience, Wade Sr. nodded slowly, his hands clasped.—
D. Watkins,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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The players’ victory cries echoing off the walls, Al-Khelaifi greeted each of them in turn, clasping their heads between his hands and bellowing his congratulations into their ears.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And then probably a Sunday that ends among familiar shadows splayed across fairways, a long walk up Augusta’s 18th, a hat brim pushed up off his forehead, a final putt, a final roar, a teary embrace with his family, and then a 44 Long in green.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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The enthusiastic embrace of enterprise has helped Writer, one of the sizzling startups featured on Forbes’ annual AI 50 list, raise some $320 million from top venture capitalists.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Banks that cling to legacy distribution models may see their brand recognition diminish, even as demand for their core services remains strong.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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When the time came to head to the airport, her parents accompanied her all the way to security to say goodbye — clinging to that moment for as long as possible.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The evening’s co-main event bout between Raymond Ford and Thomas Mattice also has a belt up for grabs.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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But behind the immediate market turmoil lies a more fundamental crisis, that of a presidential power grab which threatens our constitutional order.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Second to a lower-back tattoo depicting the sun cradled by a crescent moon, a belly button ring was the coolest body-modification trend of the ’90s and early aughts.—
Marianne Mychaskiw,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2025
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The Canadian dignitary, who's cradling Noah, agrees to consider sending her country's refugees back.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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