hug 1 of 2

verb

ˈhəg How to pronounce hug (audio)
Definition of hugnext
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

hug

2 of 2

noun

as in embrace

Related Words

Dissimilar 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
Verb
Di Felice’s re-edition of the iconic vinyl mini skirts and jackets was an instant success, while his figure-hugging clubwear and boot-cut jeans cemented his reputation for a bold, distinctive style. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 Later outside the court, Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, said Clark approached her at the courthouse last week and hugged her following a hearing for co-defendant Jarques Ratliff. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
Now the only thing missing is a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and maybe a hug from Mom! — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2026 The famous hug that went viral at the drilling rig collapse this past Monday. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hug
  1. congratulate
  2. clasp
  3. embrace
  4. cling
  5. grab
  6. cradle
Verb
  • Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Then the duo begins, and everyone leans forward, rapt, hands clasped loosely in front of them, mouthing every word.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But if the awards season goes as the streamer plans, a journey that began in Cannes with a rapturous standing ovation, could end with Los Javis clasping some golden statues.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • The memoir also details Cooper’s crippling, career-stalling struggles with substance abuse during the late ‘70s and goes into depth about his subsequent re-embrace of Christianity and his current beliefs and practices.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The stem cell industry sees the FDA’s tentative embrace of peptides as its chance to get a foot in the door — and bring stem cells from the grey market to millions of Americans.
    — Margaret Manto, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Selling this promise of a technological future to those clinging to the dream of American prosperity was an especially potent exercise during the Depression.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • The tight end led all pass-catchers in both grabs (13) and yardage (119).
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Federal government attorneys say the lawsuits are a backdoor way to regulate heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions and amount to an unconstitutional power grab.
    — LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The device features flexible side wings that can fold inward to cradle the head and neck.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • While standard flip-flops are generally relatively flat, these are made with plenty of arch support, along with deep heel cups to cradle your feet for full-day comfort.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of cradle

Browse Nearby Words

huffy
hug
huge
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Cite this Entry

“Hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hug. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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