as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
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Recent Examples of bear-hug
Less than an hour later, a mighty whoop erupted as Chapel sank the third ping-pong ball, and everyone rushed back to the table to yell, leap, chest-bump and bear-hug — a moment of euphoria worthy of a winning lottery ticket.
—
Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Finally, as the judge said not guilty for the sixth time, Connor lowered his head, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and bear-hugged the public defenders who represented him.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
The policy of bear-hugging Netanyahu has not worked.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024
Voters in the Associated Press national poll came down with a case of collective amnesia, stubbornly bear-hugging Gonzaga in the rankings while stiff-arming the Aztecs — even after San Diego State’s double-digit win at The Kennel in Spokane.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024
Last week, arriving for a one-day visit to Tel Aviv, President Biden descended from Air Force One and bear-hugged Netanyahu before a phalanx of cameras.
—Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2023
Lilia Astudillo will never again bear-hug her 14-year-old son.
—Claire Ballor, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2023
If there’s a way to salvage things and bear-hug the name and brand, nothing of substance changes for the Aztecs in a travel sense.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023
When Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Lula broke down in tears and bear-hugged Pelé, the Brazilian soccer legend.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Finally, as the judge said not guilty for the sixth time, Connor lowered his head, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and bear-hugged the public defenders who represented him.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
The policy of bear-hugging Netanyahu has not worked.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024
Voters in the Associated Press national poll came down with a case of collective amnesia, stubbornly bear-hugging Gonzaga in the rankings while stiff-arming the Aztecs — even after San Diego State’s double-digit win at The Kennel in Spokane.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024
Last week, arriving for a one-day visit to Tel Aviv, President Biden descended from Air Force One and bear-hugged Netanyahu before a phalanx of cameras.
—Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2023
Lilia Astudillo will never again bear-hug her 14-year-old son.
—Claire Ballor, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2023
If there’s a way to salvage things and bear-hug the name and brand, nothing of substance changes for the Aztecs in a travel sense.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023
When Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Lula broke down in tears and bear-hugged Pelé, the Brazilian soccer legend.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Thesaurus Entries Near bear-hug
Cite this Entry
“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hug. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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