bear hugs
Tight welcoming squeezes
A bear hug is a tight, enveloping embrace—the kind where someone wraps both arms fully around you and squeezes.
The image is of a bear's powerful grip.
Bear hugs are usually affectionate, though they can be unwelcome when too forceful: He greeted me with a bear hug that nearly knocked me over.
In business, a bear hug is an unsolicited takeover offer made at a premium high enough to pressure acceptance.
- cuddleAffectionate close embrace
- warm embraceAffectionate encircling hold
- clinchesSettles conclusively
- embraceHold closely in arms
- snuggleEmbrace cozily
clasp · enfold · open arms · strong · Winnie the Pooh · bone-crushing · armbar · squeeze · clutches · ankle lock · hold · affectionate · adorable · scissors · heartfelt · greeting · wrap · arms
- roughhousingroughhouse, roughhousing, rough play, rough and tumble, horseplay
bear hugslimp handshake
Slack-gripped greeting
handshake · air kiss · fist bump · gentle touch · formal bow
bear hugscold shoulder
Intentional dismissive treatment
snub · dismissive wave · limp handshake · formal greeting · brush-off
bear hugsformal bow
Ceremonial forward bend
social distancing · avoidance · turning away · stepping back