dangle

verb

dan·gle | \ ˈdaŋ-gəl

dangled; dangling\ ˈdaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ

Definition of dangle

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to hang loosely and usually so as to be able to swing freely

2 : to be a hanger-on or a dependent

3 : to occur in a sentence without having a normally expected syntactic relation to the rest of the sentence (such as climbing in "Climbing the mountain the cabin came into view") a dangling participle a dangling modifier

transitive verb

1 : to cause to dangle : swing dangled her feet in the water

2a : to keep hanging uncertainly

b : to hold out as an inducement

dangle

noun

Definition of dangle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the action of dangling

2 : something that dangles

Other Words from dangle Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dangle

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for dangle

Synonyms: Verb

hang, sling, suspend, swing

Examples of dangle in a Sentence

Verb

Let your arms dangle at your sides. She sat on the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. He dangled a piece of string in front of the cat. The money she dangled in front of him wasn't enough to convince him to sell. They refused to accept the money that was dangled before their eyes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Given the possibility that Cashner, Bundy and even Means get dangled in trade conversations over the next month, what would be left without them definitely is concerning. — Nathan Ruiz, baltimoresun.com, "Five stats that defined the Orioles’ first half of 2019," 10 July 2019 Cleveland has little in the way of young talent or assets to dangle in trades to upgrade its roster, much less brace itself for the disastrous possibility in which James leaves. — Ben Ladner, SI.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers Offseason Preview: Will LeBron James Stay or Go?," 10 June 2018 My college friend Liz expertly hung onto both of her and Peter's twins, Opal and Liesl, their legs dangling in the wind. — Simon Peter Groebner, chicagotribune.com, "Come sail away at this fun northern Minnesota resort on Lake Vermilion," 6 June 2018 Smarter, Cheaper Drones are enabling industrial companies to slash 25% off the cost of infrastructure inspections, which in the past required humans flying planes and helicopters, or dangling in harnesses beneath bridges. — Fortune, "Running a Drone Business Was a Massive Cash Cow. Then the Drones Arrived," 14 May 2018 On several acres in the Conway area, the invasive air potato vine has taken hold, growing toward light, wrapping around trees and dangling from limbs. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, "When invasive air potato vine takes hold, Orlando releases beetle brigade," 28 June 2019 And on leather couches in the middle of the room, a cluster of students in scrubs chatted quietly, their IDs dangling from lanyards. — NBC News, "Wobbly chairs and rolling desks: Schools are rethinking classroom design to encourage creativity," 22 June 2019 In one song, adult Mauro begs his former lovers — dangling from three giant chandeliers in their underwear — to stay a little longer. — Nora Mcgreevy, BostonGlobe.com, "In Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Corteo,’ flights of imagination in the afterlife," 20 June 2019 Koroluk wore a police star dangling from his neck, authorities said. — Jason Meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Reputed mob figure pleads guilty to extortion in beating of businessman," 19 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Extra square footage can be put underground, often dug while the old Victorian dangles in the air above it. — Nancy Keates, WSJ, "The Millionaires Living in the Mining Cabins," 1 Nov. 2018 Wiring dangles from ceilings in rooms that look out at the massive grey slabs of the separation barrier. — Washington Post, "AP PHOTOS: Unfinished Palestinian parliament a grim symbol," 6 July 2018 In a meat market, rows of aged prosciutto dangle from steel rods above displays of sausages, fresh cuts of meats, and an almost-holy litany of salumi: mortadella, prosciutto pratomagno, pancetta, coppa, lardo, mondiola, biruldu. — Necee Regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Resort’s Tuscany cooking class has all the right ingredients," 2 July 2018 The unidentifiable figure, an Iranian Everyman, seems about to take a cautious step forward — or, more sinisterly, dangles suspended in space. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "In Iranian art show at LACMA, the past wrestles with the present," 4 June 2018 In his hand, a semi-automatic weapon dangles from his fingers. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""13 Reasons Why" Season 2's School Shooting Plot Presents a Dangerous "What If?"," 21 May 2018 With four Sharks draped over him, Tuch skated through all of them, left a little dangle and dazzled with a finish that went straight past Martin Jones. — Kristen Nelson, SI.com, "Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup: Golden Knights, Fleury Post 7-0 Beatdown Against Sharks in Game 1," 27 Apr. 2018 Therefore, a pardon dangle, especially one by the president’s private lawyer, could twist up not only the client, but also the lawyer, in a criminal obstruction probe. — Sean Illing, Vox, "I asked 11 legal experts if Trump’s lawyer obstructed justice," 29 Mar. 2018 First, a dangle of a pardon is different than the issuance of a pardon. — Sean Illing, Vox, "I asked 11 legal experts if Trump’s lawyer obstructed justice," 29 Mar. 2018

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