belonging 1 of 2

noun

bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ How to pronounce belonging (audio)
Definition of belongingnext
1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship the warm welcome they received from the community gave them a sense of belonging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in possession
belongings plural transportable items that one owns packed up all their belongings and moved across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
But sometimes just thinking about tackling those jobs can feel exhausting, creating a barrier to success even for people who are highly motivated to improve their homes and their lives by exerting control over their belongings. — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 18 July 2026 The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale features plenty of worthy discounts on crossbody bags, totes, and fanny packs to keep your belongings close by on the go. — Kayla Becker, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2026
Verb
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a large community of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees has turned soccer into a sense of belonging. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 July 2026 As someone who fed on emotion and belonging throughout his career, Keegan had always felt the pull of Newcastle United, the club of his father. — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging
  1. intimacy
  2. possession
  3. staying
  4. pertaining
  5. familiarity
  6. things
  7. going
  8. kinship
Noun
  • The Sun in your 8th House of Shared Resources opposes Pluto in your 2nd House of Finances, intensifying questions around money, ownership, debt, intimacy, and control.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
  • While major tech titans limit their own children’s access to technology, young Americans are falling prey to an intimacy economy that’s dependent on technology.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Definition of intimacy
Noun
  • Coming off a 4-0 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday to restart their MLS season after a two-month World Cup break, the Quakes dominated possession and outshot the Galaxy 19-9.
    — Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 26 July 2026
  • Dyer was in possession of money stolen from the bank, and is being held in the City of Denton jail, police said.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
Definition of possession
Verb
  • Best Cooling Linen Clothes on Amazon With much of the country dealing with another round of scorching temperatures, staying cool is still top of mind.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • Officials urged residents to avoid smoke exposure by staying indoors, if temperatures allow.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of staying
Verb
  • The senator recently released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s personal records, including his pandemic-era diary, and several batches of documents pertaining to the origins of the coronavirus.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2026
  • Clase’s camp has blamed the whole ordeal on a misinterpretation of texts and calls pertaining to rooster fighting.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of pertaining
Noun
  • Maresca was, of course, working as Guardiola’s assistant during that 2022-23 season, having already been City’s under-23s manager, and his familiarity with the club meant the words ‘Welcome back Enzo’ were emblazoned above him at his unveiling.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • For kids and teens, this can be an incredible way to experience the world up close and personal with the familiarity and comfort that comes from your hotel traveling with you.
    — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of familiarity
Noun
  • In an alternate universe, one without the stakes and the frenzy bubbling in the distance, Skubal might have gone about things differently.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • And to understand it, and to comprehend that kind of thing, is a good way to keep your mind open to learning new things and working new things into your sphere.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of things
Verb
  • To keep the business going, the family has increasingly turned to restoring old bells, often with the help of modern technologies.
    — Philipp Jenne, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • The plush foam footbed and deep heel cup feel even better than going barefoot, cradling my feet with every step.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026
Definition of going
Noun
  • The essays in the book, which focus on beekeeping and other forms of animal husbandry, invite us to explore creaturely worlds beyond our own, and to recognize our kinship with other living beings.
    — Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
  • Carlisle and Childers also found a kinship in their studies of Eastern Religion, an exploration that is deeply threaded through the journey of Snipe Hunter.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Definition of kinship

Browse Nearby Words

belonged
belonging
belongings
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Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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