hugs 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hug
1
as in congratulates
to express to (someone) admiration for his or her success or good fortune she hugged herself for having made a killing on the investment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clasps
to put one's arms around and press tightly Grandma hugged the grandchildren good-bye

Synonyms & Similar Words

hugs

2 of 2

noun

plural of hug
as in embraces

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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 hugs
Verb
The park hugs 118 winding miles of the Rio Grande, nearly a quarter of the international boundary patrolled by Customs and Border Protection in the much larger Big Bend Sector. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The Forks National Historic Site, a nine-acre park filled with public art, hugs the river behind the market. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 As the name suggests, they are characterized mainly by their slightly slim fit, which hugs the legs to create a cigarette-like silhouette. — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2026 The 154-mile stretch of Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage hugs the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, weaving among cliffs, boreal forest, and charming harbor towns. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 7 Aug. 2026 All of which hugs closely to the skin for a cologne that whispers rather than shouts. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026 Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back. — Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 Soft, stretchy temp-smart migraine cap features all-over gel padding that hugs your head to block out light and gently ease tension. — ABC News, 25 July 2026 Punta Bruja Nature Reserve hugs the resort, while the front of it faces the Pacific Ocean. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hugs
  1. congratulates
  2. clasps
  3. grabs
  4. clings
  5. embraces
Verb
  • As Ospreay walks away, Kenny Omega congratulates him on his performance at Forbidden Door.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • This logic would not have barred any of the Jim Crow voting devices that the Roberts Court frequently congratulates itself and the nation for overcoming.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Definition of congratulates
Verb
  • King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026
  • Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Definition of clasps
Noun
  • In this case, the filings contain screen grabs of text messages and other communications that seem very …lively.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Last season, Green became a mismatch weapon for the Tigers and had seven touchdown grabs — only 2026 first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq caught more touchdowns in 2025 among FBS tight ends.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • All the while, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have virtually halted as Tehran clings to its leverage by threatening to strike any unauthorized oil tankers that attempt to transit the narrow waterway.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Any empty feeling at Empty Sky Caution tape clings to a fence outside the memorial, which honors the 749 New Jersey residents killed on 9/11.
    — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of clings
Verb
  • Nestled in nature, each of the 36 guest rooms embraces local craftsmanship with wood furnishings; soft lighting has a calming effect.
    — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For now, Philo embraces earning one of college football’s most high-profile jobs.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of embraces

Browse Nearby Words

hugging
hugs
hulk
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Cite this Entry

“Hugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hugs. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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