hugging vs fondling

hugging and fondling both are nouns.

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

As nouns, hugging and fondling are synonyms defined as:

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

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

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