Synonyms of cling

cling 1 of 2

noun

as in adhesion

a physical sticking to as if by glue

for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adhesion
• adherence
• bonding
• adhesiveness
• gluing
• glueing
• attachment
• tenacity
• cohesion
• clumping
• cementing
• agglutination
• cohesiveness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsticking

cling

2 of 2

verb

ˈkliŋ 

as in to adhere

to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion

a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adhere
• stick
• cleave
• glue
• hew
• bind
• unite
• fasten
• cohere
• fuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall
• loosen
• drop

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cling contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cling are adhere, cleave, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When can adhere be used instead of cling?

The words adhere and cling can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

In what contexts can cleave take the place of cling?

While in some cases nearly identical to cling, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When could cohere be used to replace cling?

While the synonyms cohere and cling are close in meaning, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cling?

In some situations, the words stick and cling are roughly equivalent. However, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cling

Noun

Beneath the ocean’s surface, abalone cling to the seabed with a strong, foot-like appendage and dwell in radiant shells to stay safe from predators. —Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

And how do the weeds of America’s past cling to its present and future? —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 18 Nov. 2024

Verb

Floridians who lined up to vote early in person over the weekend appeared to be well aware of how high the stakes are as Republicans are clinging to their House majority by just a few seats. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025

One was whether to remove the beautiful but potentially hazardous creeping figs clinging to the façade. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing cling

• cling (to)