1
as in congratulated
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 clasped
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 hugged
Star player Moisés Caicedo hugged and kissed his mother on the side of the pitch just before kick-off.
—
Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
His son hugged him, and Frazier grumbled with his team about what might have been.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The dress hugged the actress' figure before flaring out at the knees.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
When the final out was recorded on his most recent save – just the third of his promising young career – Jack Dreyer pumped a fist toward infielder Miguel Rojas, hugged catcher Ben Rortvedt and otherwise showed little emotion.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
Gospel music played on speakers, family members served chicken soup, strangers hugged each other, friends left carrying several plates stuffed with leftover food.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
But when Joe gets pulled away by his old search-and-rescue squad mates, Slightly has to improvise and take advantage of the chaos in the lab caused by the eyeball, locking poor Arthur — one of the few adults on the island putting the Lost Boys’ safety above all else — inside to get his face hugged.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
In a video from their meet-up after the game, the Criminal Minds alum and the basketball star hugged it out.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
After the Jaguars’ 26-10 win, the brothers exchanged jerseys on the field, hugged, talked, did the ceremonial brotherly things.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
His son hugged him, and Frazier grumbled with his team about what might have been.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The dress hugged the actress' figure before flaring out at the knees.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
When the final out was recorded on his most recent save – just the third of his promising young career – Jack Dreyer pumped a fist toward infielder Miguel Rojas, hugged catcher Ben Rortvedt and otherwise showed little emotion.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
Gospel music played on speakers, family members served chicken soup, strangers hugged each other, friends left carrying several plates stuffed with leftover food.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
But when Joe gets pulled away by his old search-and-rescue squad mates, Slightly has to improvise and take advantage of the chaos in the lab caused by the eyeball, locking poor Arthur — one of the few adults on the island putting the Lost Boys’ safety above all else — inside to get his face hugged.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
In a video from their meet-up after the game, the Criminal Minds alum and the basketball star hugged it out.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
After the Jaguars’ 26-10 win, the brothers exchanged jerseys on the field, hugged, talked, did the ceremonial brotherly things.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugged
Verb
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The mood was celebratory, and Jassy congratulated employees on Zoox’s success to date, the person said.—
Salvador Rodriguez,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the end, before Fallon reappeared, all pep and cheer, Forge clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, as if locked in prayer.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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There were only two worshippers, one in the water, hands clasped in prayer, and the other seated on the bottommost step, looking intently toward the river or maybe at the other bather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Murdochs and Redstones are far from the only families that clung tenaciously to control of their media empires for as long as possible.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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In addition to the mouse study, the researchers also confirmed that the protein quickly clung to carbon monoxide in human blood in test tubes.—
Sara Novak,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Agents grabbed one man who appeared to be charging up the driveway, pinned him to the ground and hustled him behind the gate with his hands behind his back.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Boston Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
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On the third play from scrimmage, freshman defensive back Kiingbaraka Kizzee grabbed a deflected pass for an interception and returned the ball 46 yards to the Sierra Canyon 5.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the 77th Annual Emmy Awards embraced nostalgia with attention to classics like The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls, it was once again dominated by streaming giants breaking records and reshaping the industry.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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West Germany’s players embraced that billing — to a certain extent.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugged. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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