1
as in congratulates
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 clasps
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 hugs
Robin Roenker, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Adam later finds Jeremiah and hugs his son, while Jere breaks down crying in his arms.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The shoes also have extra-long gore panels (those stretchy parts on the sides) for a fit that hugs the foot.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The oldest neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove is a sedate enclave that hugs Biscayne Bay about a dozen miles from South Beach—but up to an hour by car during peak traffic—with the iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as its cultural and architectural center.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
In footage of the moment, Milo displays a sweet smile, then the little boy hugs his goat — named Teddy Bear — tightly before planting multiple kisses on the animal.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The narrow train hugs the mountains and valleys for an impressive view of the countryside.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
Hosting an event of any kind at Oracle Park is a flex — the baseball stadium hugs the San Francisco waterfront, offering views of the Bay Bridge and Oakland — but Bay FC still had work to do.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
Covered in concrete and lost to time for decades, the vats were rediscovered and excavated in 2016 within a building that hugs the Kentucky River.
—Robin Roenker, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Malik Nabers #1 after the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Adam later finds Jeremiah and hugs his son, while Jere breaks down crying in his arms.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The shoes also have extra-long gore panels (those stretchy parts on the sides) for a fit that hugs the foot.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The oldest neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove is a sedate enclave that hugs Biscayne Bay about a dozen miles from South Beach—but up to an hour by car during peak traffic—with the iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as its cultural and architectural center.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
In footage of the moment, Milo displays a sweet smile, then the little boy hugs his goat — named Teddy Bear — tightly before planting multiple kisses on the animal.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The narrow train hugs the mountains and valleys for an impressive view of the countryside.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
Hosting an event of any kind at Oracle Park is a flex — the baseball stadium hugs the San Francisco waterfront, offering views of the Bay Bridge and Oakland — but Bay FC still had work to do.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
-
At the last tip meeting, Kerry congratulates his crew on a job well done.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
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Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes congratulates players after a first half scoring drive against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field on September 6, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The scent of countless cigarettes still clings to the original carpets and stage drapes, suggesting more uses than just movies and church services.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
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The hydrogel material clings to my skin without lifting around the edges or sliding down my face.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With Amazon's status as a Hollywood heavyweight up for grabs there is a lot on the line.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Normally, redistricting happens once a decade after the census, but mid-decade redraws are increasingly common power grabs.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Marlon Wayans embraces his first proper horror role with Him, after years of parodying the genre.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
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Seeing his image loom over the waterfront underscored how Baltimore both embraces global Black culture and threads it seamlessly into its own story.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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