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
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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
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Recent Examples of hug
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
And within that imagery, there were people shaking hands, people hugging, people smiling.
—Emily Wilson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025
At least the show itself opens its arms fully, and delivers a warm, sturdy squeeze of a hug.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Verb
Combs greeted the lawyers at his table with smiles, giving the two men handshakes and the three women hugs.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
And within that imagery, there were people shaking hands, people hugging, people smiling.
—Emily Wilson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
At one point, the little girl turns around and gives her mom a big hug, at which point Bey can’t help but stop singing and giggle.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025
At least the show itself opens its arms fully, and delivers a warm, sturdy squeeze of a hug.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
Verb
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated Albanese and said the two countries' defence collaboration, including AUKUS, and support for Ukraine, would grow.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Several fan accounts dedicated to the Grammy nominee shared a video of a Times Square billboard congratulating the singer on her Lifetimes tour, which launched on April 23 in Mexico City.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Avoid crossing your arms or clasping them behind you when receiving questions.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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On Sunday, Melania Trump announced her own meme coin with a black-and-white photo of the First Lady smiling and with her hands clasped in front of her face, as if in thanks.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The full skirt and tailored jacket were a repudiation of the war's utilitarian styles and an embrace of extravagance. 20 of 20 Nicole Scherzinger Newly minted Tony nominee Nicole Scherzinger brought Old Hollywood glamour and drama to the carpet with her tailored and bedazzled pinstripe gown.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
6 May 2025
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The record arrives alongside a visualizer featuring two ice sculptures in the shape of two lovers locked in each other’s embrace.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2025
Verb
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The hojicha was so earthy and coated my tongue, clinging to the fattiness of the oat milk.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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But on this particular Wednesday morning, the 46-year-old father of three arrived in an ambulance, clinging to his life, having suffered severe burns to most of his body, his right leg broken and his left leg violently cut off below the knee.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The top prize for the $50 500X scratch-off game is $25 million, the largest amount ever up for grabs on a Florida scratch-off game.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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My first game, a one-point loss using the Golden State Warriors, provided a similar experience to the average 2K Play Now Online contest that doesn’t put money up for grabs.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Julian had a blast cradling the cooing birds and imitating the chant-like calls of the pigeon handlers, flapping his arms with glee as their flocks took flight and landed on command.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
30 Apr. 2025
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When others on board pointed to Murphy’s father, her mother knelt on the deck, cradling Murphy in her arms, and begged them not to harm her husband.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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