1
as in to congratulate
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 to clasp
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hug
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Tim Bachak would look out to his backyard most evenings to see wildlife emerging from the forest of birch, maple and oak trees hugging his property.
—Tim Craig, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
And over 33 years, Clyburn – a civil rights activist, party strategist, and political kingmaker – has built his political network one handshake and one hug at a time.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Tim Bachak would look out to his backyard most evenings to see wildlife emerging from the forest of birch, maple and oak trees hugging his property.
—Tim Craig, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
The English wrestler gave Lee a hug in the middle of the ring, but assaulted her.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
And over 33 years, Clyburn – a civil rights activist, party strategist, and political kingmaker – has built his political network one handshake and one hug at a time.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
-
Villa Park assistant coach Ted Lawton raced to congratulate Urbanski while the Spartans’ players swarmed Noriega.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
After Biles qualified for her third Olympic Games, Owens congratulated his wife with a kiss while holding a cutout of her face.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the other candidates pressed their palms against the podiums, ready to pounce on every question, Becerra clasped his hands like an altar boy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another girl, Donna Jo, apparently naked on a back-yard lawn, holds several small, round pieces of fruit, still on their leafy branch, clasped to her chest like a trophy.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the growing embrace of computerized systems has at times meant fewer pencil-and-paper contingency plans when technology breaks down.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Darren Criss and Mia Criss embrace on the carpet at the opening night of The Lost Boys on Broadway on April 26 in New York City.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chudzinski’s most stressful situation came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Warriors clinging to a 3-2 lead.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The large-scale return of the supposedly canceled can’t be blamed on collective amnesia, or even a public that clings to plausible deniability.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Kaufman, 13, trains in Muaythai, a combat sport and martial art from Thailand that allows fighters to use their fists, elbows, knees, and shins to hit, grab, or sweep their opponents.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The defendant would cradle the victim with his arms.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Handcrafted since 1852, these Swedish masterpieces are made with layers of natural horsehair, cotton, wool, and flax, designed to cradle your body while wicking away moisture and regulating temperature.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
