Thesaurus results for BEAR-HUG

bear-hug

verb

ˈber-ˌhəg

Definition of bear-hug

as in to hug

to put one's arms around and press tightly elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 bear-hug Running back Isaac Guerendo returned to practice Tuesday and twice ran into the line only to be bear-hugged by Warner, who followed orders and did not tackle to the ground. — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025 And, besides, he could be seen bear-hugging his players, as well as those of Newcastle, within moments of being led away from Barrott, twice turning back to shout and angrily gesticulate in the referee’s direction. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Mamdani’s refusal to bear-hug Israeli leadership, which until recently was de rigueur for both political parties, has transformed him into the embodiment of a bogeyman for some Jews who live above 60th Street. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 9 Jan. 2026 Once Tyler and Beau got there to Victory Lane, right before the confetti popped and rained down and reminded Reddick that yes, this was real, and yes, Jordan was bear-hugging him, and yes, a childhood dream had come true — a new memory took place. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bear-hug

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hug

Verb

Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of hug

Verb

Charlotte, an avid tennis fan like her mom, could be seen clasping her face in shock with her eyes wide during the games, mirroring Kate's own expressions at times.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Aabria, by contrast, leans on personality and connection, clasping hands with the jurors and complimenting them before calmly lying about the rules of the bra contest and her victory.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of clasp

Browse Nearby Words

bear fruit

bear-hug

bear-hugged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bear-hug. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bear-hug

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes