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

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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
The fact that shoes are getting slimmer and slimmer may feel somewhat new, but the sole-hugging footwear is actually just a continuation of a popular style from the ’90s. — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026 When Ramirez’s daughter returned to her seat after speaking, the same relative hugged and kissed her. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Some close their eyes and smile, as if a hug from Erika is a hug from Charlie. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • Please join me in congratulating Kayleen and welcoming Maria to XBOX!
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone kept congratulating her on the long overdue success.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of clasp
Noun
  • Under Nadella, Microsoft had faced disruption before and come out stronger on the other side, benefiting from the cloud-computing revolution and the embrace of the SaaS model.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Misfits Complementing spring’s embrace of graphic havoc is an intriguing offness of fit, as seen at Jil Sander, Givenchy, and Lii.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Mykola Murskyj, senior adviser on policy and strategy at the nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine, told the Washington Examiner that Zelensky isn’t just arbitrarily clinging to power — the entire country is wary of voting during wartime.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Rescues were reported in multiple counties on Saturday, including people found in floodwaters, clinging to a piece of a dock along the Freedom Trail Greenway in Burke County, officials say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cling
Noun
  • The five seats up for grabs on the Fulton Commission include the northern District 1 spot, where incumbent Republican Bridget Thorne is embroiled in a rematch with Democrat Maggie Goldman.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • At Compass Rose, the hotel’s grab-and-go counter for Cuban-style coffee and pastries, look for the hotel’s original 1939 green-glass front desk, where I was told there’s photographic evidence of Miami Vice’s Don Johnson leaning against it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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