bear-hugged

verb

past tense of bear-hug
as in hugged
to put one's arms around and press tightly elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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-hugged 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bear-hugged
  1. hugged
  2. clasped
Verb
  • In the selfie video, Valentina grinned into the camera wearing a gold choker and gold hoops as her mother hugged her from behind.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 June 2026
  • At the defense table that day, Broadwater, wearing a gray pinstripe suit, choked back sobs and hugged his lawyers.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Definition of hugged
Verb
  • As the service began, it was clasped shut.
    — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • The Philly duo’s tender, faintly medieval-sounding folk song has its hands clasped and its heart on its sleeve.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
Definition of clasped

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bear-hugging
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Cite this Entry

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

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