belonging 1 of 2

Definition of belongingnext

belonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belong
1
as in staying
to have or be in a usual or proper place your shoes belong in the closet, not in the middle of the living room where people will trip on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in pertaining
to be the property of a person or group of persons those textbooks belong to the school system and not to the students

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 belonging
Noun
Residents’ clothing was taken from them in some homes, while owners and caregivers used residents’ rooms as storage spaces for their own belongings, inspectors said. Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026 Rachel removes her wedding dress, gathers her belongings and exits the cabin. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Gigi Perez has always searched for belonging in a song. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 For decades, the Center has provided critical services, advocacy and a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ people across San Diego County. Ted G Callam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging
Noun
  • The tragicomic look at two lives on hold struck a chord; its depiction of a family bickering and bantering, and of the risks of intimacy, felt specific and true.
    Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • This was especially true at the start of the month, as the moon reached its peak in harmony-seeking Libra on April 1, highlighting your eighth house of intimacy, depth and vulnerability.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • With 33 seconds remaining, after scoring five straight points and in possession of the ball, the Warriors used Curry’s gravity to draw defenders out of the paint, giving Gary Payton II enough space to catch a pass from Draymond Green and put in a layup for a 116-115 lead.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • One 16-year-old male was charged with delinquent unlawful possession of a firearm, large capacity feeding device and ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm and is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Apollo astronauts typically flew about 70 miles above the lunar surface, staying relatively close during their orbits.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
  • What’s staying the same To be sure, some things have not changed for gig workers.
    Annette Nellen, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While many in the Democratic Party leadership have moved to the Left on matters pertaining to Immigration and Customs Protection and Israel, Gallego stuck to more traditional rhetoric.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But when later asked about Mecklenburg County’s denial of public records pertaining to the death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody in December, Merriweather declined to comment.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The storylines and analogies Brown uses vary in familiarity.
    Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • It’s helped bring a sense of familiarity as spring practice kicked off this week.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.
    Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • O’Leary continued that surge Saturday, going 4-for-4 with four singles, a walk and two runs as the Porters mounted a big rally before losing 8-7 to Joliet West in nine innings in the WJOL Tournament championship game at Slammers Stadium in Joliet.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Šilovs also allowed a goal in the first period that clanged off his mask before somehow going between his legs.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The cover girl is Ger van Braam, an Indonesian woman who subscribed to The Ladder and sent her picture to the editor in search of kinship.
    Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • An unexpected kinship develops between the would-be forger (Lori Butler, played by Michaela Coel) and the artist (Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen).
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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