hugging

/ˈhʌɡɪŋ/
verb
  1. To hold someone tightly in your arms, especially to show love or friendship.
    • The two friends hugged each other goodbye at the airport.
    • She is hugging her teddy bear as she falls asleep.
    • He hugged his daughter tightly after she won the race.
  2. To keep close to something, such as a shoreline or a path, while moving.
    • Drivers should hug the right side of the road on that narrow bridge.
    • The trail hugs the edge of the cliff for about a mile.
    • The boat is hugging the coast to avoid the rough open sea.
Antonyms
noun
  1. The action of holding someone tightly in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection.
    • The children ran to their mother for a warm hugging after school.
    • Some people find hugging very comforting when they are sad.
    • Hugging is a common way to greet close friends and family.