1
as in congratulating
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 clasping
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 hugging
Bay Harbor consists of two islands hugging the Broad Causeway, which stretches just west of Bal Harbour to North Miami.
—
Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In the photo, Martin can be seen hugging her cast members on stage while holding a bouquet of flowers and a handful of wigs.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
Mendoza will mark the best moment of his life by hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and throwing on the New Era 2026 NFL Draft On Stage Pre-Curved 9FIFTY Snapback Hat in Black and Silver, with a pile of skulls printed on the inside, as seen here.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Underwood and Whitman both said the best part of the lengthy Illinois celebration on Saturday night was hugging their families — their wives and children, now older, who put up with their long days and nights away for many years.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Two school administrators told police the girl also reported Vang touched her thigh the prior spring and that he had already been talked to about hugging young female students, the criminal complaint said.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 2026
Her computer screensaver, which shows Bruce Willis hugging her.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
On Friday, staffers could be seen hugging in the parking lot.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
With a shorter stem and ear-hugging contour, this popular pair is designed with comfort in mind.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In the photo, Martin can be seen hugging her cast members on stage while holding a bouquet of flowers and a handful of wigs.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
Mendoza will mark the best moment of his life by hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and throwing on the New Era 2026 NFL Draft On Stage Pre-Curved 9FIFTY Snapback Hat in Black and Silver, with a pile of skulls printed on the inside, as seen here.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Underwood and Whitman both said the best part of the lengthy Illinois celebration on Saturday night was hugging their families — their wives and children, now older, who put up with their long days and nights away for many years.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Two school administrators told police the girl also reported Vang touched her thigh the prior spring and that he had already been talked to about hugging young female students, the criminal complaint said.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 2026
Her computer screensaver, which shows Bruce Willis hugging her.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
On Friday, staffers could be seen hugging in the parking lot.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
With a shorter stem and ear-hugging contour, this popular pair is designed with comfort in mind.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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Please join me in congratulating Allie on her new endeavor.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
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Season 6 Love Island USA star Serena Page, Chloe Bailey and JT were among those congratulating her on social media.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
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Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many are still processing the loss while clinging on to Coleman's memory.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The cake is finished cooking when a wooden pick comes out with moist bits clinging to it.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kyla Oldacre led Texas with 11 points off the bench while grabbing seven rebounds.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, embracing the good – acknowledging it, marking it, thanking it – is what gives us the skills to navigate the bad.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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While other Coachella performers like Katseye and Lucky Brand collaborator Addison Rae have each carved out distinct aesthetic identities, festivalgoers are drawing less direct inspiration from performers’ styles, instead embracing a more individual and self-directed approach to dressing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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