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

• loosening
• detachment
• unfixing
• 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

Aluminum Foil Sheets The Dollar Tree sells aluminum foil, parchment paper, and plastic cling wrap, but my favorite kitchen item is their pre-cut aluminum foil sheets. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 June 2025

Based on the novel by Peter Heller, The Dog Stars is set nine years after a flu pandemic wipes out most of humanity, watching as a grieving pilot and his loyal dog cling to survival in a remote Colorado airfield. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 May 2025

Verb

In addition to the mouse study, the researchers also confirmed that the protein quickly clung to carbon monoxide in human blood in test tubes. —Sara Novak, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025

Here then are the vehicles from the 2025 model year that cling to tradition and still offer a stick-shift for those who still enjoy taking their cars through the gears themselves. —Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing cling

• cling (to)