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
Relevance
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
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 hug
Christopher Murray, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
When it was liberated eight months later, joyous crowds draped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags took to the streets, hugging and kissing soldiers, and singing as car horns blared.
—Clarissa Ward, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
The cut is long enough to cover your rear without limiting your range of movement, while an ultra-soft cotton blend feels like a warm hug in clothing form.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
Magic Flik eyeliner: on sale for $11.50 Original price: $23
Half Magic's Magic Flik eyeliner has a unique shape that hugs closer to your lash line.
—Christopher Murray, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
When it was liberated eight months later, joyous crowds draped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags took to the streets, hugging and kissing soldiers, and singing as car horns blared.
—Clarissa Ward, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
Willard could barely finish his sentence as his players came up behind him and gave him a hug.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
The cut is long enough to cover your rear without limiting your range of movement, while an ultra-soft cotton blend feels like a warm hug in clothing form.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
-
And once again, his mom was first to congratulate him.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The monarch, wearing a red tie and an Order of Canada lapel pin, congratulated Carney on his recent victory.—
Rob Gillies,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Option to clasp your hands behind your back and reach your knuckles toward the wall behind you.—
Amber Sayer,
Outside Online,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Alec is visibly disturbed by the news, pushing his chair back and clasping his hand to his face, stunned into silence.—
Krystie Lee Yandoli,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Corporate America’s embrace of LGBTQ+ rights was the result of decades of protests and boycotts from LGBTQ+ activists that transformed once indifferent, even hostile, companies into powerful allies.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
-
If that's true, Anderson's embrace of hamburgers was really part of a quest for greater productivity - to cook and sell more meat sandwiches in less time.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
After having no answers for three months, those who were close to Sharkey are clinging onto hope that his killer will be found.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Business leaders cling to physical-first thinking because change threatens their world view.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Well, Woods' tech league had a total of $21M up for grabs.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Its ability to continue doing so in the future is now seemingly up for grabs.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Hadid was seen kissing, cradling, and caressing her fragrance, Orebella, in the scent Salted Muse.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The happy couple also shared exclusive photos of the couple cradling their baby boy.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share