HUG: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for HUG?

Need another word that means the same as “hug”? Find 40 synonyms and 30 related words for “hug” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Hug” are: bosom, embrace, squeeze, cuddle, clasp, clutch, cling to, hold someone close, hold someone tight, take someone in one's arms, clasp someone to one's bosom, press someone to one's bosom, cradle, fold, enfold, envelop, hold tight, hold in one's arms, keep close to, stay near to, follow closely, follow the course of, hold on to, cherish, harbour, nurture, nurse, foster, retain, maintain, keep in one's mind, clinch, bear hug, hold, caress

Hug as a Noun

Definitions of "Hug" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “hug” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A squeezing grip in wrestling.
• A tight or amorous embrace.
• An act of holding someone tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection.

Synonyms of "Hug" as a noun (9 Words)

bear hug	An investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price.
caress	A gentle or loving touch. He showered her with caresses.
clasp	A grasp or handshake. He released his clasp on my arm.
clinch	(boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily. Breaking from a clinch he crossed with his right.
clutch	The pedal operating the clutch in a vehicle. She made a clutch at his body.
cuddle	A prolonged and affectionate hug. He just wanted a comforting kiss and a cuddle.
embrace	An act of accepting something willingly or enthusiastically. His willing embrace of new ideas.
hold	A stronghold. Tom had some kind of hold over his father.
squeeze	A twisting squeeze. It was a tight squeeze in the tiny hall.

Usage Examples of "Hug" as a noun

• Come here and give me a big hug.
• There were hugs and tears as they were reunited.

Hug as a Verb

Definitions of "Hug" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “hug” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Hold (something) closely or tightly round or against part of one's body.
• Squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness.
• Fit closely or tightly.
• Cherish or cling to (something such as a belief.
• Squeeze (someone) tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection.
• Congratulate or be pleased with oneself.
• Fit tightly round.
• Keep close to.
• Hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness.

Synonyms of "Hug" as a verb (31 Words)

cherish	Protect and care for (someone) lovingly. He needed a woman he could cherish.
clasp	Grasp (something) tightly with one’s hand. He clasped Joanne in his arms.
clasp someone to one's bosom	Fasten with a buckle or buckles.
cling to	To remain emotionally or intellectually attached.
clutch	Affect. He stood clutching a microphone.
cradle	Place a phone receiver in its cradle. She cradled the receiver gently.
cuddle	Ingratiate oneself with. He cuddles the baby close.
embrace	Squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness. They embraced.
enfold	Enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering. He shut off the engine and silence enfolded them.
envelop	Enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering. Fog enveloped the house.
fold	Become folded or folded up. A bag was folded around the book.
follow closely	Adhere to or practice.
follow the course of	Act in accordance with someone’s rules, commands, or wishes.
foster	Bring up under fosterage of children. A person who would foster Holly was found.
harbour	Of a ship or its crew moor in a harbour. The water can become stagnant harbouring bacteria and other microorganisms.
hold in one's arms	Be the physical support of; carry the weight of.
hold on to	Remain in a certain state, position, or condition.
hold someone close	Declare to be.
hold someone tight	Resist or confront with resistance.
hold tight	Drink alcohol without showing ill effects.
keep close to	Raise.
keep in one's mind	Behave as expected during of holidays or rites.
maintain	Maintain by writing regular records. The king swears he will maintain the laws of God.
nurse	Serve as a nurse care for sick or handicapped people. He nursed his hurt pride.
nurture	Bring up. For a long time she had nurtured the dream of buying a shop.
press someone to one's bosom	Create by pressing.
retain	Absorb and continue to hold (a substance. Limestone is known to retain water.
squeeze	Squeeze or press together. She squeezed the bottle.
stay near to	Remain behind.
take someone in one's arms	Require as useful, just, or proper.

Usage Examples of "Hug" as a verb

• He hugged her close to him.
• She hugged herself with secret joy.
• He hugged her close to him.
• I headed north, hugging the coastline all the way.
• A pair of jeans that hugged the contours of his body.
• We hugged and kissed.
• Left-winger Stewart hugged the touchline.
• People kissed and hugged each other.
• A boy hugging a secret.
• He hugged his knees to his chest.
• The dress hugged her hips.
• The car hugs the road, cornering neatly.

Associations of "Hug" (30 Words)

adorable	Lovable especially in a childlike or naive way. I have four adorable Siamese cats.
adore	Love intensely. He adored his mother.
alluring	Highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire. An alluring prospect.
charm	Induce into action by using one s charm. A good luck charm.
charming	Possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers- Shakespeare. A charming little cottage.
cherubic	Having the innocence or plump prettiness of a young child. A cherubic face.
couple	(physics) something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines. A couple of girls were playing marbles.
cuddly	Denoting a toy, especially a model of an animal, that is padded or spongy and covered in soft fabric. A cuddly teddybear.
cute	Obviously contrived to charm. Ryan s cute but he s kinda young.
dear	A sweet or endearing person. A dear friend.
dolly	A small platform on wheels used for holding heavy objects, typically film or television cameras. He fumbled a dolly at slip.
dote	Be foolish or senile due to old age. Having an older brother who dotes you a lot is the best thing ever.
embrace	Hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness. Aunt Sophie embraced her warmly.
embracement	The act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection.
eros	(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid.
fond	Having or displaying warmth or affection. He was not too fond of dancing.
fondly	With affection or liking. They fondly believed the cheers were for them.
glamorize	Make glamorous and attractive. The lyrics glamorize drugs.
gorgeous	Very pleasant or enjoyable. The weather was gorgeous.
idolize	Admire, revere, or love greatly or excessively. Many teenagers idolized the Beatles.
kiss	A touch or caress with the lips. The newly married couple kissed.
kitten	Give birth to kittens. Our cat kittened again this year.
lovable	Inspiring or deserving love or affection. A naughty but lovable child.
love	A person or thing that one loves. There were four memorial pages set up by her friends in honour of Phoebe saying how much they loved and missed her.
lovely	An attractive woman. Don t worry my lovely.
married	A person who is married. Married life.
pamper	Indulge with every attention, comfort, and kindness; spoil. Famous people just love being pampered.
smile	Express with a smile. He smiled his admiration of the great stone circle.
whisper	A soft or confidential tone of voice a whispered word or phrase. She spoke in a whisper.