cloy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cloy different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cloy are glut, gorge, pall, sate, satiate, and surfeit. While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

When is glut a more appropriate choice than cloy?

The synonyms glut and cloy are sometimes interchangeable, but glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

When could gorge be used to replace cloy?

In some situations, the words gorge and cloy are roughly equivalent. However, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

When would pall be a good substitute for cloy?

While the synonyms pall and cloy are close in meaning, pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

How do satiate and sate relate to one another, in the sense of cloy?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel
readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

When is it sensible to use surfeit instead of cloy?

The meanings of surfeit and cloy largely overlap; however, surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

Examples 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 cloy Lengua gyutan, or beef tongue, soaked in a creamy mushroom gravy, seemed destined to cloy but turned out to be smooth, balanced, and savory. Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 But before such moments can cloy, Arbery usefully complicates his case. New York Times, 22 June 2022 That sweetness can cloy if it’s not suitably chilled and diluted, which is why almost everyone chooses to make it on the rocks. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2021 The museum’s sacredness to many, including me, can cloy a little. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2021 See all Example Sentences for cloy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloy
Verb
  • You may be tempted to pump the wand into the tube to get the brush saturated, but don't—MAC says this causes the formula to dry out.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Over the years, the organization has made concerted efforts to appeal to audiences outside of its U.S. home, where the market is already greatly saturated.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • How can people alleviate winter air pollution? Residents can take action to reduce air pollution during inversions and dry, stagnant weather conditions.
    Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Between holiday gifting, Black Friday, and the dopamine hit that is simply buying something just to alleviate the pre-wintertime blues, rounding up the best new beauty products of the last few weeks is fitting.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Named after the wintry European region, the Scandinavian hairline refers to a dyeing technique that lightens the wispy, fine strands that frame your face.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Here’s how your credit card can lighten the load this holiday season.
    Erika Kullberg, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Corbet found the swell of advance enthusiasm gratifying, if bewildering.
    Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Smart management strategies to maximize revenue and tenant experience To make sure everyone wins, building owners need a strategic approach that attracts visitors while gratifying anchor residents or workers.
    Mark Zettl, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cloy

Cite this Entry

“Cloy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloy. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cloy

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