cling (to)

verb

Definition of cling (to)next
1
as in to keep (to)
to give steadfast support to continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands clung to a pole in the subway car to keep from falling as it lurched along

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling (to)
  1. grip
  2. clutch
  3. clench
  4. defend
  5. hold
  6. grab
  7. stand by
Verb
  • For those eager to revisit or catch up on the gripping saga, seasons one through three are available to stream now, exclusively on BET+.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Hell or High Water (2016) — A gripping modern Western about two brothers who resort to bank robbery to save their family ranch.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Suddenly, Stephen is a father again, tearfully clutching a crying boy, the one his son died to save.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Olivier-winning Clarke is holding court in the center of the room while clutching a tiny portable fan, her purple braid swaying in its breeze.
    Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • Examples include: Stress: People under a lot of stress may be more likely to clench or grind their teeth.
    Maggie Aime, MSN, Health, 21 Oct. 2024
  • The most important step is to identify and correct oral behaviors that can contribute to burning mouth syndrome, like clenching or grinding your jaw.
    Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of clench
Verb
  • Austin Police Department Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt defended the proposal in response to concerns from multiple public officials and social justice advocates during a Monday meeting of the city's Public Safety Commission.
    Serena Lin, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • According to the New York Times, Trump has privately defended his defense secretary nominee.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of defend
Verb
  • So, is Robinson holding onto Burrow's Funko Pop! figurine as an attempt to steal the energy and luck from Cincinnati's beloved football team?
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Private equity firms now hold controlling stakes across an array of industries, including supermarkets, housing, health care, fashion, restaurants and vet clinics.
    Allison Morrow, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of hold
Verb
  • The addition will mean RTP will continue to have a place to grab barbecue after Lawrence Barbecue's owners decided to leave Boxyard RTP for downtown Cary.
    Zachery Eanes, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
  • At one point, the man allegedly told Combs to grab a white bird from a cage that the man had presumably brought with him.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The New Lego Flowers Kit Is a Christmas-Ready Poinsettia Pot That Doubles as Holiday Decor Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Le Creuset’s signature Dutch ovens are an investment that many home cooks stand by.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Both parties, of course, ultimately stood by their call, and they were vindicated in the end, but according to executives and on-air talent at multiple TV networks that spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, the lessons of that call are still being felt.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of stand by
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near cling (to)

clings (to)

cling (to)

clingy

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Cite this Entry

“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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