as in swinging
to place on an elevated point without support from below
he dangled the string in front of the cat, hoping that it was in the mood for play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dangling
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 June 2026
While the design here is emphatically traditional, a dose of modern whimsy comes through with a dangling, multi-floor chandelier loosely inspired by jellyfish.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
CNN Money, 16 June 2026
Party people lounged on the dock, their legs dangling over turquoise water, while tequila flowed freely.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
The singer paired the look with strappy black high-heel shoes, multiple rings and dangling earrings, choosing to wear her hair in a low bun with a few pieces left out, and blunt bangs.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
In one of them he was seen hanging from the edge of a rocky cliff using his bare hands, his legs dangling toward a steep slope in a risky performance without safety equipment.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Tom Cruise spends the movie running through New Jersey with two terrified kids while ash drifts through the streets and giant alien war machines scoop humans into dangling metal cages.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The first, in which a dangling panel from an Acela train shorted third-rail power into the signaling system, shut down rail travel into and out of Penn for more than a day.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Instead, its discreet entrance beckons you into a foyer alight with more than a dozen dangling glass lamps crafted by Barovier & Toso of Murano, and a sketch-like portrait of the actress Monica Vitti by the Franco-Chinese painter Yan Pei-Ming.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
The Princess of Wales’ earrings were crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and featured the brand’s Nile hoop earrings with dangling bee charms.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Adjective
The three cats quickly get distracted, though, by the dangling, bright lightbulb and string hanging above them.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 June 2026
While the design here is emphatically traditional, a dose of modern whimsy comes through with a dangling, multi-floor chandelier loosely inspired by jellyfish.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
In one of them he was seen hanging from the edge of a rocky cliff using his bare hands, his legs dangling toward a steep slope in a risky performance without safety equipment.
—CNN Money, 16 June 2026
Party people lounged on the dock, their legs dangling over turquoise water, while tequila flowed freely.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
The singer paired the look with strappy black high-heel shoes, multiple rings and dangling earrings, choosing to wear her hair in a low bun with a few pieces left out, and blunt bangs.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
In one of them he was seen hanging from the edge of a rocky cliff using his bare hands, his legs dangling toward a steep slope in a risky performance without safety equipment.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Tom Cruise spends the movie running through New Jersey with two terrified kids while ash drifts through the streets and giant alien war machines scoop humans into dangling metal cages.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The first, in which a dangling panel from an Acela train shorted third-rail power into the signaling system, shut down rail travel into and out of Penn for more than a day.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Instead, its discreet entrance beckons you into a foyer alight with more than a dozen dangling glass lamps crafted by Barovier & Toso of Murano, and a sketch-like portrait of the actress Monica Vitti by the Franco-Chinese painter Yan Pei-Ming.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
The Princess of Wales’ earrings were crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and featured the brand’s Nile hoop earrings with dangling bee charms.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangling
hanging
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangling. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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