It's soft, strong, and demonstrated by this puzzle's four theme answers

Usage examples of bearhug.

Lady Silvertree off her feet in a surprisingly gentle bearhug, his greeting a deep and purring roar.

And, as they insanely tattooed the floor with their uncontrolled feet, close to fifty intoxicated buffoons commenced clapping completely out of rhythm, and of course they hooted and shrieked, making vivid gestures and bearhugging each other deliriously while also commenting grossly on the Mondragon effort.

Tabitha realized what I was doing and bearhugged me, sandwiching me again.

He was stabbed at, gouged, rabbit-punched, scragmauled, slugged, kneed, bitten, bearhugged, butted, beaten and had his to trampled.

Then he grew conscious of the bearhug grip he was exerting, and broke away.