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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of hugging
Gomez's outfit, styled by Erin Walsh, featured a figure-hugging silhouette with a scoop neckline and a fringe hem.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
5 July 2026
Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.
—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
Swift shared a glimpse of the fun on Instagram by posting some Polaroids of them laughing, hugging and enjoying red, white and blue Popsicles.
—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
Pediatric nurse Lindsay, glamorous in a sleek, body-hugging gown, wore a hue seen on a few other female guests as well, including Swift’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson, a former swimmer at the University of Kansas.
—
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
When the Chiefs won, the Grammy winner joined Kelce on the field, kissing and hugging him.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Up in the stands, the Weahs lost their minds, cheering and hugging everyone in sight, the famous George Weah included.
—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them.
—
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
5 July 2026
Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.
—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
Swift shared a glimpse of the fun on Instagram by posting some Polaroids of them laughing, hugging and enjoying red, white and blue Popsicles.
—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
Pediatric nurse Lindsay, glamorous in a sleek, body-hugging gown, wore a hue seen on a few other female guests as well, including Swift’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson, a former swimmer at the University of Kansas.
—
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
When the Chiefs won, the Grammy winner joined Kelce on the field, kissing and hugging him.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Up in the stands, the Weahs lost their minds, cheering and hugging everyone in sight, the famous George Weah included.
—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them.
—
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
Verb
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All participating children receive certificates, congratulating them on participation or meeting those goals.
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On Saturday, Jeffries took a step in that direction by congratulating New York City's Democratic nominees, including Valdez and Chevalier.
Verb
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Aabria, by contrast, leans on personality and connection, clasping hands with the jurors and complimenting them before calmly lying about the rules of the bra contest and her victory.
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The cap’s crown is decorated with three clasping hands symbolizing unity and brotherhood.
Verb
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Its relaxed silhouette helps prevent fabric from clinging to your skin, while the lightweight construction feels light throughout the day.
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The terrain is rocky, with vineyards clinging to steep limestone slopes, simultaneously warmed by the sun and cooled by salty Adriatic breezes.
Verb
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Americans are grabbing their passports and fleeing the country in hopes of leaving the nation’s problems behind.
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Swanson argues those behind-the-scenes improvements have done more to modernize logistics than many of the industry’s headline-grabbing automation projects.
Verb
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Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's son is embracing his time in the spotlight.
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Increasingly, however, many are embracing a different definition—one that includes rest, healing, preventative care, joy, and self-investment.
Cite this Entry
“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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