bear-hugged; bear-hugging; bear-hugs
: to embrace in a bear hug
: a rough tight embrace
Synonyms
Examples of bear-hug in a Sentence
Verb
elated team members bear-hugging everyone in sight
Noun
He gave his brother a bear hug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Finally, as the judge said not guilty for the sixth time, Connor lowered his head, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and bear-hugged the public defenders who represented him.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneak Peek Teases Jesse Williams' Return as Jackson Avery: 'Welcome Back' (Exclusive)
When Bailey attempted to go unnoticed while sneaking around the hospital, Sydney saw her and immediately gave her a bear hug.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bear-hug 
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.
Verb
Less than an hour later, a mighty whoop erupted as Chapel sank the third ping-pong ball, and everyone rushed back to the table to yell, leap, chest-bump and bear-hug — a moment of euphoria worthy of a winning lottery ticket.
—Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
Finally, as the judge said not guilty for the sixth time, Connor lowered his head, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and bear-hugged the public defenders who represented him.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
Noun
In one photo, Laughlin gave Bure a bear hug from behind, and in another, the pair posed with Stamos and Sweetin for a group shot.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneak Peek Teases Jesse Williams' Return as Jackson Avery: 'Welcome Back' (Exclusive)
When Bailey attempted to go unnoticed while sneaking around the hospital, Sydney saw her and immediately gave her a bear hug.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bear-hug
Dictionary Entries Near bear-hug
Cite this Entry
“Bear-hug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bear-hug. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share