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
  • Authorities on Monday arrested a Maryland native and one-time Gilman School valedictorian in connection to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City — a killing that gripped the country and ignited debate about health care in America.
    Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Hahn was incredible as Agatha, hilarious one moment, but emotionally gripping the next.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of grip
Verb
  • At 3:08 of the second period, Tampa Bay’s Conor Geekie slammed into Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro with a knee-on-knee hit that led to Fabbro’s writhing on the ice, clutching his right knee.
    Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Lansbury became a household name thanks to her portrayal of an unusual gumshoe, often in perilous situations but always polite and clutching a sensible handbag.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • This show has turned into me standing in front of my screen every week, fists clenched, threatening the producers not to send Charles L. home or God so help me.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024
  • Dry mouth Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) Mouth infections Nutritional deficiencies Taking medications, including blood pressure medications Diabetes can also cause BMS, although in that cause the burning is considered to be a type of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes).
    Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of clench
Verb
  • In late 2021, New York State Attorney General Letitia James released documents showing Chris Cuomo, while employed at CNN, took an active hand in helping his brother defend himself.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
  • After that, the Rangers have seven consecutive games against teams currently in playoff position, including the top three teams in the Eastern Conference in the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes, plus another against the defending champion Florida Panthers.
    Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of defend
Verb
  • However, the premium seems to be holding roughly stable since MicroStrategy began buying in the wake of the election results, noted Bloomberg.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Newsweek has contacted Schumer's office via email for clarification on when the vote will be held.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Some Broad Ripple Starbucks lovers woke up to a surprise Thursday morning while stopping to grab a cup of Joe.
    Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Rather than going cold turkey on nightly dinner dates, try scaling back to just weekends, then using Thursday nights to grab drinks with your college pals.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Trump’s team has publicly stood by him, decrying the accusations as false and politically motivated.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Donald Trump is standing by his choice for defense secretary, but is there an expiration date on this nomination?
    The Editors, The Atlantic, 7 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 2024.

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