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
Examples 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
Atika Shubert, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
However, after two fans managed to hug and shake hands with him, the stage was overrun by more fans, leaving security scrambling to clear the stage as Morrissey was jostled between the admirers and personnel.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The pair also shared a hug and bowed for each other during the sweet moment.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug 
Verb
One man fell weeping into the king’s arms and in another shot, the King is seen hugging two crying women.
—Atika Shubert, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
However, after two fans managed to hug and shake hands with him, the stage was overrun by more fans, leaving security scrambling to clear the stage as Morrissey was jostled between the admirers and personnel.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Big Slim ready to give her a big hug and support her for the rest of whenever.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The pair also shared a hug and bowed for each other during the sweet moment.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
-
Coral Wright, who made the list in 2023, rushed over to congratulate Emily Levitan, who was selected this year.Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Vice President-elect JD Vance congratulated Miller on his new role in a post on X after CNN first reported the move.David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
In the one photo the pop icon shared of the pair, she and Morris, 28, stood side-by-side with their hands each clasped together in a room decorated with fake cobwebs.Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
-
Conclave begins with the image of a cardinal tensely making his way along a Roman highway late at night, his crimson biretta cap clasped tightly in his hand.Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The Bachelorette star and her partner finished their routine face-to-face in a close embrace and held the move after the dance ended.Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
-
Though the dance may indicate a greater cultural embrace of Trump, some, including Pulisic, have defended the move as apolitical.Conor Murray, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Circling his collarbones and chest, a pearl and diamond necklace clings to his skin.Essence, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Lila clings on to Lenù’s youngest daughter, and Lenù lets her, leaving Imma upstairs for as long as the next morning.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
That means more than 1,000 bottles will be up for grabs — for gifting, collecting, or Christmas season sipping — around the state.Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
-
How Lottery Reform Hurt Tankers Beginning with the 2019 draft, the NBA made two major tweaks to the lottery: The first four picks are up for grabs rather than the first three, and the odds were flattened to disincentivize teams from tanking.Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Your hand cradles the device—no more cramps—and the straps also reduce accidental drops.Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
-
There are videos from nearly three decades ago, when the musician cradled him in her arms as a baby.Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hug
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share