cling 1 of 3

as in adhesion
a physical sticking to as if by glue for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cling

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cling (to)

3 of 3

verb (2)

Example Sentences

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.
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
Timothy Ratliff learned to cling to family, but his family is awful, especially since Piper, who started the season as the moral Ratliff, learned she can’t be bothered to find enlightenment if enlightenment doesn’t have better organic catering. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025 After birth, the baby will cling to the mother’s fur and make its way to her chest to be cleaned. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling
Noun
  • These products might restore the paint's adhesion properties.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The most common cause of adhesions in women is endometriosis.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The new monitor’s report, made public Friday, heaped praise on the department’s consent decree adherence between July 1 – Dec. 31, 2024.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Just as political leaders are incentivized to prioritize performance over governance, business leaders must be wary of systems that reward visibility, short-term wins, or rigid adherence to outdated strategies.
    Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This includes collaborative problem-solving, social bonding, mentoring, and creative exploration.
    Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Contagious yawning, common in humans and other social animals, is thought to be linked to social bonding, empathy, and group coordination—but the evolutionary driver behind contagious peeing remains unclear.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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