How to Use bear-hug in a Sentence

bear-hug

1 of 2 verb
  • In two photos, Mollen is seen bear-hugging her 12-year-old on a bed.
    — Sarah Bregel, Parents, 2 June 2026
  • And then Forbes will see the kid disappear into a giant bear-hug.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Williams celebrated by jumping onto the goal post padding and bear-hugging the upright, which earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
    — CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
  • Williams celebrated by jumping onto the goal post padding and bear-hugging the upright, which earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
    — CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025
  • Running back Isaac Guerendo returned to practice Tuesday and twice ran into the line only to be bear-hugged by Warner, who followed orders and did not tackle to the ground.
    — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
  • And, besides, he could be seen bear-hugging his players, as well as those of Newcastle, within moments of being led away from Barrott, twice turning back to shout and angrily gesticulate in the referee’s direction.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Once Tyler and Beau got there to Victory Lane, right before the confetti popped and rained down and reminded Reddick that yes, this was real, and yes, Jordan was bear-hugging him, and yes, a childhood dream had come true — a new memory took place.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026

bear hug

2 of 2 noun
  • He gave his brother a bear hug.
  • They both were pushed and one of them got an entire bear hug.
    — Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, 8 May 2018
  • The video showed the team coming in to give bear hugs to the coach.
    — Fox News, 29 Aug. 2019
  • Lewis was generous with his bear hugs and brought joy to those around him.
    — courant.com, 1 Dec. 2019
  • Then a couple dozen children ran to her and into a class bear hug.
    — Liz Bowie, baltimoresun.com, 15 June 2018
  • Casey swallowed him up in a gigantic bear hug and held on tight.
    — Ron Richmond For The Oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, 8 June 2018
  • Jackie shoved the door aside and engulfed me in a massive bear hug.
    — Ted Jackson, NOLA.com, 3 Feb. 2018
  • But the priest is one of them; he is welcomed with warm smiles, bear hugs, and handshakes.
    — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That tight bear hug eight weeks ago is now entwined with some of the most hellish aspects of this war.
    — Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023
  • Some dogs might love getting squeezed in a bear hug or massaged by an adoring child.
    — Alla Katsnelson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2020
  • Josh Naylor waited for him at home plate, arms spread wide for a bear hug.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The group erupts with cheers as the couple bear hug and scream with excitement, too.
    — Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2024
  • Still three years away and Huntsville is already wrapping the event in a bear hug.
    — Paul Gattis | [email protected], al, 7 Aug. 2023
  • Khan throws his hands up, jumps a bit, and wraps Mackintosh in a bear hug.
    — SI.com, 4 Oct. 2017
  • Denzel beamed as Rickles hit the stage and wrapped him in a bear hug (or three).
    — Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
  • And here's a weighted blanket that feels just like dad's world-famous bear hugs.
    — Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Byron's impact was wide and far-reaching, much like his bear hugs and his hearty laugh.
    — courant.com, 25 Feb. 2018
  • Jerry gives her some kind words and a bear hug, and the rat scurries out of its hiding place.
    — Richard Rys, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2021
  • Jayson Tatum walked over to wrap Kornet in a big bear hug.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
  • William crushes his cousin Ben (Alex Bhat) in a bear hug.
    — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The stunned singer stood up and got a bear hug from the Hollywood action man.
    — Toyin Owoseje, CNN, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Jaquez’s father wrapped Cronin in a bear hug and lifted him into the air.
    — Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2023
  • While the ball bounced away, Burton wrapped up Trautman with a bear hug.
    — Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 10 Nov. 2020
  • Except, that is, the bear hug that is a new staple of the Dodgers clubhouse.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2021
  • Your thunderous laugh, the bear hugs, our chats about love, family and life.
    — Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Jared Goff sprinted to his coach and the sideline, and the two embraced in a big bear hug.
    — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2021
  • Now would also be a good time to give yourself a bear hug for, like, 20 seconds.
    — Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Bloomberg.com, 5 May 2020
  • Manuel held Beilein in the air in a tight, two-armed, bear hug in the Alamodome.
    — Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2018
  • Players and coaches exchanged bear hugs.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • As soon as the game was over, Jones got a bear hug by a player only to be injured in the act.
    — Mark Heim, AL.com, 12 Oct. 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bear-hug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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