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
Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Slim planter beds along fences operate on the same principle, replacing bulky garden beds with streamlined growing space that hugs the perimeter and keeps the center of the garden open and breathable.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Its sibling park—Colton Point State Park—hugs the western rim of the canyon.
—Anthony Fredericks, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial park cenotaph in Hiroshima on May 27, 2016.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dressing a bump can be tricky, but Mosaku shines in the Louis Vuitton sequin gown that hugs her curves.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
This is a scent that doesn’t announce your presence upon entry, but instead hugs you intimately, close to the skin.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The fabric is a poly-spandex stretch blend, which hugs the body just enough to prevent excess drag while still remaining comfortable.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Not only does the material ensure comfort and support, but the unique design, with thick straps that curve to the exact shape of my arches and a cupped heel, creates a glove-like fit that hugs my feet.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Slim planter beds along fences operate on the same principle, replacing bulky garden beds with streamlined growing space that hugs the perimeter and keeps the center of the garden open and breathable.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Its sibling park—Colton Point State Park—hugs the western rim of the canyon.
—Anthony Fredericks, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial park cenotaph in Hiroshima on May 27, 2016.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Dressing a bump can be tricky, but Mosaku shines in the Louis Vuitton sequin gown that hugs her curves.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
This is a scent that doesn’t announce your presence upon entry, but instead hugs you intimately, close to the skin.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The fabric is a poly-spandex stretch blend, which hugs the body just enough to prevent excess drag while still remaining comfortable.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
Verb
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Occasionally, bottles of water and loaves of bread are distributed, and Lydia congratulates herself for having the discipline to make her slice last.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
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Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lindo laughs, clasps his hands together and raises them.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Keeping that hardshell closed is a pair of wide, beefy aluminum latches with a lower swing arm that clasps to a closure bar via a pair of hooks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Dust clings to screens, cobwebs build in rafters, pollen films over furniture and grit packs into door tracks.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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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
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The third starting spot in 11 personnel (three receivers) is up for grabs.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Several prizes, including a weeklong safari in the Masai Mara with Alex Walker’s Serian for the Overall Winner, are up for grabs, the organization said.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The First Four has been successful because the city of Dayton embraces college basketball and has given the event a big-time vibe.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Mindy Kaling embraces the spring season in a pink dress at the Maison Valentino & Alessandro Michele Specula Mundi book launch event in Los Angeles on April 28.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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