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
Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial park cenotaph in Hiroshima on May 27, 2016.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dressing a bump can be tricky, but Mosaku shines in the Louis Vuitton sequin gown that hugs her curves.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
This is a scent that doesn’t announce your presence upon entry, but instead hugs you intimately, close to the skin.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The fabric is a poly-spandex stretch blend, which hugs the body just enough to prevent excess drag while still remaining comfortable.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
In the pictures, Sarah wore an ash gray cardigan, her thick brunette hair shoulder-length; Elena, in a flowery dress, hugs her mom in one photo.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The district hugs a square mile, from Sixth to 23rd streets, from Ocean Drive on the Atlantic Ocean to Lenox Court near Biscayne Bay.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Made from a soft and stretchy cotton blend, the pair hugs in all the right places and works wonders in the butt-lifting department.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial park cenotaph in Hiroshima on May 27, 2016.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dressing a bump can be tricky, but Mosaku shines in the Louis Vuitton sequin gown that hugs her curves.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
This is a scent that doesn’t announce your presence upon entry, but instead hugs you intimately, close to the skin.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The fabric is a poly-spandex stretch blend, which hugs the body just enough to prevent excess drag while still remaining comfortable.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
In the pictures, Sarah wore an ash gray cardigan, her thick brunette hair shoulder-length; Elena, in a flowery dress, hugs her mom in one photo.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The district hugs a square mile, from Sixth to 23rd streets, from Ocean Drive on the Atlantic Ocean to Lenox Court near Biscayne Bay.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Made from a soft and stretchy cotton blend, the pair hugs in all the right places and works wonders in the butt-lifting department.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
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Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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But then the public address announcer congratulates Charlisse Leger-Walker for her four All-Pac-12 honors and her conference title with Washington State (which came at UCLA’s expense), and the whole ceremony starts to make less sense.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 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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Alyoshka’s mother clings to the hope that her son represents, and finds his reluctance to play his role impossible to understand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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Sprinkle with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and leaves from 1 fresh basil sprig, chopped, and toss again until the sauce clings to the pasta.—
Demi Lovato,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ciere Boatright, Johnson’s Department of Planning and Development commissioner, said the up-for-grabs inventory is the largest since the vacant lot sale program began in 2022.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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By the tournament’s final night, one spot remained up for grabs.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Designed by the architecture firm Minarc with interiors by MYMM, the home embraces a welcoming Scandi-chic aesthetic.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Romeo leaps to his feet and embraces Juliet, both of them saved; Juliet-as-an-old-woman appears and dances with Romeo as an older Romeo does the same with Juliet; Romeo and Juliet dote over a baby that will never be born.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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