hugging

verb

present participle of hug
1
as in congratulating
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 clasping
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 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 hugging The dress in question was an inky black number that featured a delicate lace bodice, a super plunging neckline with a layer of sheer fabric, a figure-hugging silhouette, and an opaque floor-grazing skirt. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026 On the final day of shooting, Chandrasekhar remembered that everyone was hugging each other goodbye. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Right now, in half the rec rooms in the South, there is a framed picture of a middle-aged man hugging a 7-foot-tall plush animal that has a somewhat shorter math major crammed inside it. — Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 While the coaster’s wheel assembly can be seen hugging the side of the track to secure it in place on cars 1, 4, and 5, the same wheel mechanism isn’t visible on the side of the track under cars 2 and 3. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 Russini resigned from her post at The Athletic amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel after photographs of them hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona, went viral. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Photos of Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting together in a hot tub at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post in March. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The restaurant posted a photo on Instagram of the 80-year-old actor hugging family member Zurella Lancarte. — Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 After more than a decade hugging the sands of Laguna Beach, Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck will close its doors this year. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugging
  1. congratulating
  2. clasping
  3. clinging
  4. grabbing
  5. embracing
Verb
  • The rest of the league is playing poker, while Dunleavy is sitting in the corner playing Solitaire and congratulating himself on not losing any cards.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor, who also challenged McCrory in 2024, also issued a conciliatory statement on Tuesday congratulating Khan on her election victory.
    — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulating
Verb
  • These feature the American Eagle on one side, clasping an oak branch in its talons.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 July 2026
  • Their logo is an osprey, clasping a baseball bat in its talons.
    — Alanis Thames, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of clasping
Verb
  • Instead of opting for a matte formula, look for hydrating concealers with hyaluronic acid or ceramides that will layer onto skin smoothly and keep it hydrated throughout the day, without clinging to lines.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Before Wolverine can intervene, Trask shoots Essex, who’s left clinging to life.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of clinging
Verb
  • The trio of founders allegedly told investors that the brand would feature an app as its centerpiece and be boosted by major advertising deals and attention-grabbing celebrity photo shoots and cover stories.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One of the most attention-grabbing stars in the sky still keeps its secrets close—and that is one of the main reasons astronomers have so much fun studying it.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of grabbing
Verb
  • Connecticut deserves credit for embracing decades of scientific research demonstrating that adolescent brains continue developing well beyond age seventeen.
    — Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond high vamps, fall 2026 footwear is embracing nostalgia and drama.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of embracing

Browse Nearby Words

hugger-mugger
hugging
hugs
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Cite this Entry

“Hugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugging. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hugging

Nglish: Translation of hugging for Spanish Speakers

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