fondling vs hugging

fondling and hugging both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
fondling	Yes	No	No	No
hugging	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, fondling and hugging are synonyms defined as:

fondling and hugging: affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)

Other synonyms of fondling include caressing, cuddling, kissing, necking, petting, smooching, snuggling.

fondling (noun)	hugging (noun)
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)	affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)