cling

verb \ ˈkliŋ \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: cling in a Sentence

Definition of cling

clung play \ˈkləŋ\; clinging

intransitive verb

1 a : to hold together

b : to adhere as if glued firmly

The shirt clung to his wet shoulders.

c : to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously

The kitten clung to the narrow branch.

2 a : to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence

he clung to his friends for support

b : to remain or linger as if resisting complete spreading or scattering

The odor clung to the room for hours.

—

clinger

play \ˈkliŋ-ər\ noun

—

clingy

play \ˈkliŋ-ē\ adjective

See cling defined for English-language learners

See cling defined for kids

Examples of cling in a Sentence

The children clung together under the little umbrella waiting for the storm to pass.
a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

Recent Examples of cling from the Web

Opposition activists called it an effort to cling to power and alleged intimidation and harassment of people who didn't support the amendments.

— Fox News, "Burundi's president says he won't run for another term," 7 June 2018
Inclusion rider is now a buzzword that people are clinging to in hopes that more women and people of color get a fair chance in career-changing projects.

— refinery29.com, "This New Study Proves That Hollywood Does Not Get Intersectionality," 23 May 2018
To find a kernel of humanity and some truth in order to cling to the belief that within every bad person is a good one, waiting for a hand to show them the way out.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Four: The Gospel of Bundy," 18 May 2018
Peas will usually need something to cling to and grow up on such as a wire fence.

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Buckle up, Alaska gardeners: It’s go time.," 18 May 2018
But for the third straight year, the last two wolves on Isle Royale in Lake Superior have continued to cling to existence.

— keith matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Isle Royale's 2 remaining wolves still alive, spotted this winter," 17 May 2018
There’s no reason to cling to relics of the past when innovation is a hallmark of our national identity.

— nathan sproul, Fortune, "How Relying on Oil Makes Us More Vulnerable to Cyberattacks," 10 May 2018
Protesters said Sargsyan, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, had abused the system to cling to power.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Armenia’s Peaceful Protester Takes Power in a Bloodless Revolution," 8 May 2018
Chances are good that the robber is no longer wearing a creepy skull-like green mask with big black facial features and a clinging purple headwrap.

— doug phillips, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Glove-wearing robber in creepy mask hits bank," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cling

Middle English, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

cling Synonyms

Synonyms

adhere, cleave, hew, stick;

Near Antonyms

loosen;

drop, fall;

Synonym Discussion of cling

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

- couldn't get the label to stick

adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

- antibodies adhering to a virus

cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

- eggs will make the mixture cohere

cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

- clinging to a capsized boat

cleave stresses strength of attachment.

- the wet shirt cleaved to his back

cling

noun

Definition of cling

plural clings

1 : an act or instance of clinging : adherence

2 : clingstone

3 : a sheet of material (such as plastic or vinyl) designed to adhere to a flat surface by static electricity and often printed with an image or message

When it's time for a new look, simply peel off the clings and store them away for another day.
—Lorna Hordos

Examples of cling in a Sentence

for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling

Recent Examples of cling from the Web

An estimated 40,000 members of the ethnic minority cling to the belief that everything vital in the world originates from a woman, earning the region the nickname Kingdom of Daughters.

— jason motlagh, Marie Claire, "Kingdom of Women," 18 Jan. 2018
The idea later resulted in a bridal collection of minimalist, no-frills wedding slips with a simple silhouette and carefree cling, complete with adjustable pearl-fastened straps.

— liana satenstein, Vogue, "Need a Wedding Dress and Pajamas? Sleeper Is the One-Stop Shop for Both," 5 Feb. 2018
Pickled mustard greens are essential, the tang offsetting the velvet cling of liquid fat.

— New York Times, "At Happy Stony Noodle, a Childhood Favorite Anchors the Menu," 25 Jan. 2018
The clings are meant to be peeled off after the party and reused at the next event.

— bonnie mccarthy, latimes.com, "Keep track of your cocktails with drink charms and markers," 16 Dec. 2017
Keith’s chill delivery begets rapid rhymes that hang among the bells and whistles and clings and clangs of the arcade’s vintage machines.

— kevin warwick, Chicago Reader, "Hip-hop alien Kool Keith again invades Logan Arcade for his annual X-mas extravaganza," 15 Dec. 2017
One simple and inexpensive precaution is a window cling that alerts first responders that a pet is inside the home.

— kelly mcbride, Cincinnati.com, "Vet clinic reaches out to pet owners who can't afford care," 27 June 2017
Customers station themselves at the table, the windowsill or a low shelf, each set with a saltshaker and an enormous bottle of Valentina hot sauce, which brings good cling, upfront heat and a citrus coda.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "A Shrimp Cocktail With a Jumbo Jolt, at La Esquina in Queens," 4 May 2017
The walls, curiously, have been carefully covered with fresh plastic cling wrap—like a serial killer would prepare his basement—to catch flying fish scales and for faster, easier cleanup.

— adam davidson, The New Yorker, "Anthony Bourdain’s Moveable Feast," 13 Feb. 2017