as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bear-hug
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 then Forbes will see the kid disappear into a giant bear-hug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Gypsy also scored a nomination for Joy Woods, who plays the actual title role as Momma Rose’s daughter Louise, and for the bear-hug of a performer who is Danny Burstein, while Camille A. Brown’s choreography was recognized but George C. Wolfe’s direction wasn’t.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 May 2025
Safdie had designed two pink granite 60-story massive towers, almost bear-hugging each other.
—Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Recommended Why Republicans blasted Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. – and bear-hugged Kash Patel
That does not seem likely to overcome Mr. Trump’s preference for unilateral action over international engagement in remaking U.S. foreign policy.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Feb. 2025
But in his Instagram post yesterday, Zuckerberg bear-hugged the term, using it as a synonym for the entire practice of content moderation itself.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2025
Addison extended beyond the Bears defense to snatch a 45-yarder while being bear-hugged in the first half.
—Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Less than an hour later, a mighty whoop erupted as Chapel sank the third ping-pong ball, and everyone rushed back to the table to yell, leap, chest-bump and bear-hug — a moment of euphoria worthy of a winning lottery ticket.
—Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
And then Forbes will see the kid disappear into a giant bear-hug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Gypsy also scored a nomination for Joy Woods, who plays the actual title role as Momma Rose’s daughter Louise, and for the bear-hug of a performer who is Danny Burstein, while Camille A. Brown’s choreography was recognized but George C. Wolfe’s direction wasn’t.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 May 2025
Safdie had designed two pink granite 60-story massive towers, almost bear-hugging each other.
—Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Recommended Why Republicans blasted Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. – and bear-hugged Kash Patel
That does not seem likely to overcome Mr. Trump’s preference for unilateral action over international engagement in remaking U.S. foreign policy.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Feb. 2025
But in his Instagram post yesterday, Zuckerberg bear-hugged the term, using it as a synonym for the entire practice of content moderation itself.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2025
Addison extended beyond the Bears defense to snatch a 45-yarder while being bear-hugged in the first half.
—Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Less than an hour later, a mighty whoop erupted as Chapel sank the third ping-pong ball, and everyone rushed back to the table to yell, leap, chest-bump and bear-hug — a moment of euphoria worthy of a winning lottery ticket.
—Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hug
Verb
-
Takekoshi gradually built on this mission introducing capsule collections of easy-to-approach pieces that could be effortlessly mixed and matched and introducing also more fluid designs as an alternative to Wolford’s renowned body-hugging ones.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Lord John realizing he’s being held at gunpoint; a building burning; Jamie hugging Marsali and Claire tending bees.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Scott, attending a court hearing via video feed from Corcoran state prison, clasped his hands and thanked God and all involved with his release.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The dress, made of metal, was tightly sewn and clasped together, barely any leeway to walk in a decent stride.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hug. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share