hugging vs cuddling

hugging and cuddling both are nouns.

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

As nouns, hugging and cuddling are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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