bear-hug
1 of 2verb
ˈber-ˌhəg 
bear-hugged; bear-hugging; bear-hugs
transitive verb
: to embrace in a bear hug
bear hug
2 of 2noun
: a rough tight embrace
Synonyms
Verb
- clasp
- crush
- embrace
- enclasp
- enfold
- grasp
- hug
- strain
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun He gave his brother a bear hug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 2 June 2022 Yes, that was the punchline: Give this bear a bear hug. Essence, 19 May 2022 After Joseph’s mother pinned his badge on him, Molis gave Walky Joseph a bear hug. Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 Along with the heartfelt words, the couple celebrated with an adorable bear hug. Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE.com, 17 June 2022 His former teammate, Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, gave him a bear hug at first base as his teammates came streaming out of the dugout with the Chevrolet Fountain spewing high into the air. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 The last round was basically a coronation parade, which ended with a bear hug with his father, Earl, who was six weeks removed from heart-bypass surgery. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2022 In her first semester as a Drexel University freshman, Kait was on the steps of a Philly brownstone when a friend fell into her for an exaggerated bear hug. Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, PEOPLE.com, 17 Mar. 2022 The Candelario-Hinch bear hug was supposed to happen in mid-February, but the MLB lockout — which lasted 99 days, from Dec. 2 until March 10 — canceled more than three weeks of spring training. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2022 See More
Noun
Erin celebrated the good news with a cookie cake — and a bear hug from Ben. Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 2 June 2022 Yes, that was the punchline: Give this bear a bear hug. Essence, 19 May 2022 After Joseph’s mother pinned his badge on him, Molis gave Walky Joseph a bear hug. Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 Along with the heartfelt words, the couple celebrated with an adorable bear hug. Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE.com, 17 June 2022 His former teammate, Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, gave him a bear hug at first base as his teammates came streaming out of the dugout with the Chevrolet Fountain spewing high into the air. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 The last round was basically a coronation parade, which ended with a bear hug with his father, Earl, who was six weeks removed from heart-bypass surgery. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2022 In her first semester as a Drexel University freshman, Kait was on the steps of a Philly brownstone when a friend fell into her for an exaggerated bear hug. Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, PEOPLE.com, 17 Mar. 2022 The Candelario-Hinch bear hug was supposed to happen in mid-February, but the MLB lockout — which lasted 99 days, from Dec. 2 until March 10 — canceled more than three weeks of spring training. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Verb
1907, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1837, in the meaning defined above
bear-hug
verb
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
- hug
- clasp
- cradle
- embrace
- grab
- cling
- grasp
- wrap
- crush
- hold
- enfold
- strain
- pat
- enclasp
- grip
- snuggle
- bosom
- clamp
- fold
- cuddle
- envelop
- lock
- encircle
- pet
- stroke
- fondle
- nuzzle
- twine
- embosom
- enwind
- entwine
- nestle