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
In typical athlete origin story fashion, the first half of the Christy trailer depicts the unpolished, brunette Sweeney as real-life champion Christy Salters Martin slugging it out in practice, training on a beach, and hugging her supportive team.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But most are job hugging because job hoppers no longer get the big salary bump.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In one photo, their two children can be seen hugging each other with Layla holding up the sonogram.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
In September 2023, Erika reflected on their first date and posted selfies of them hugging.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Cameras captured a heartwarming scene of a father and son leaping into the air, screaming and hugging each other in disbelief and joy, as McIlroy's ball dropped into the cup.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Manon Bannerman and Megan Meiyok Skiendiel put differing spins on conical bras as outerwear, one peeking from under a blazer and the other over a figure-hugging dress.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
When Frankie finally returned home, Beau couldn't contain his joy, jumping for joy and hugging his best friend.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Across town, in the neighborhood of Friedrichshain, the river-hugging East Side Gallery showcases murals painted by 118 artists from 21 countries the year the wall came down.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But most are job hugging because job hoppers no longer get the big salary bump.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In one photo, their two children can be seen hugging each other with Layla holding up the sonogram.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
In September 2023, Erika reflected on their first date and posted selfies of them hugging.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Cameras captured a heartwarming scene of a father and son leaping into the air, screaming and hugging each other in disbelief and joy, as McIlroy's ball dropped into the cup.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Manon Bannerman and Megan Meiyok Skiendiel put differing spins on conical bras as outerwear, one peeking from under a blazer and the other over a figure-hugging dress.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
When Frankie finally returned home, Beau couldn't contain his joy, jumping for joy and hugging his best friend.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Across town, in the neighborhood of Friedrichshain, the river-hugging East Side Gallery showcases murals painted by 118 artists from 21 countries the year the wall came down.
—Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
-
Moments earlier, a video had played featuring many of her former teammates, San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas, and her husband Servando Carrasco with their children, congratulating her on a storied career.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
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Please join me in congratulating Michael on his new role.—
TIME PR,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Next page, clasping hands with Schweitzer in her satin, white wedding dress with a rose bouquet.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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After arriving on the scene, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ran toward the sanctuary and was later seen clasping his hands outside on the church steps.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Royals — who are desperately clinging to slim playoff hopes — dropped another winnable game 8-6 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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Companies clinging to this outdated model risk losing their best talent, hurting families of working parents, and ultimately harming their bottom line.—
Liz Teran,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Begiristain is now spending time with his family in his home city of San Sebastian, embracing life out of the fast lane.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, the industry is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to manage tariff risks, optimize logistics costs, and ensure pricing compliance across complex regulatory environments.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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