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
Mapperton House, in Dorset, has seemingly endless trunks, plus the storage spaces are all packed with crates, most filled with the belongings of generations past. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Inside, the roomy main compartment features a zippered pocket for valuables alongside an additional flat pocket for quick-grab items like keys, chapstick, or a boarding pass, keeping your belongings organized, safe, and within reach at all times. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Verb
According to a 2026 study, collective sauna rituals significantly improve mental and physical wellbeing by fostering social connection and community belonging. Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026 With a mix of personalities, relationship histories and different forms of dwarfism, the group explores what love, honesty and truly belonging really mean. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging
Noun
  • Today could stir up deep thoughts around trust, intimacy, finances or emotional entanglements that have become mentally exhausting.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • Alberto Iglesias’ Hitchcockian-sounding score however misses the mood this time, too big for the intimacy of this tale.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • The fiasco left aspiring translators in Korea, most of them people of color, with one less route into the profession, further enabling white people’s social and actual capital to be kept within their possession.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • Other than the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks are the only postseason team that ranks in the top three in points scored and allowed per 100 possessions.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Clarke is a freelancer staying afloat in the gig economy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • The film is simultaneously unadorned and deeply oppressive, staying close to the historical record (while fictionalizing the circumstances of Moulin’s eventual death, or martyrdom) in a fashion that offers little perspective, beyond a humanist call-to-arms and appeal toward remembrance.
    David Katz, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Also, according to sources familiar with the upcoming bipartisan legislation, there would be a governing body enacted to provide clear guidance on rules pertaining to the potential changes coming, with college administrators being in agreement on how they are enforced.
    Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • Furthermore, events preceding or following 04/09/2026 and/or pertaining to individual persons affiliated/associated to the companies were not included in the analysis.
    TIME Staff, Time, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Disney can point to decades of advertiser familiarity with ESPN, ABC and the Super Bowl.
    Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Cancer is, after all, associated with emotional instincts, vulnerability and secrets only the moon knows of, so this transit can often evoke a collective desire for reassurance, affection and familiarity.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
  • Or, in this case, cutting things up with scissors and tossing them around.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, are airing live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, meaning some of the genre's biggest stars are going home with new accolades under their belts.
    Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
  • Police said officers responded to shootings involving apartment buildings and homes while going door-to-door to ensure residents had not been injured.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Collins admits to feeling a kinship with Simpson, who was the target of the tabloids of her day.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • At the hospital, Feldman and others wondered how to help kinship families beyond children’s medical treatment.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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