cling 1 of 2

as in adhesion
a physical sticking to as if by glue for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cling

2 of 2

verb

as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cling contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cling are adhere, cleave, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When can adhere be used instead of cling?

The words adhere and cling can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

In what contexts can cleave take the place of cling?

While in some cases nearly identical to cling, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When could cohere be used to replace cling?

While the synonyms cohere and cling are close in meaning, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cling?

In some situations, the words stick and cling are roughly equivalent. However, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

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 cling
Noun
Based on the novel by Peter Heller, The Dog Stars is set nine years after a flu pandemic wipes out most of humanity, watching as a grieving pilot and his loyal dog cling to survival in a remote Colorado airfield. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 May 2025 Mow Only When Grass Is Dry Wet grass clippings cling to mower blades and fall in clumps on the surface of the turf. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Verb
CEOs cling to size because empires feel safer. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Chaos erupted at Miami International Airport early Tuesday when a woman from England allegedly snatched a 4-year-old boy from his mother at a checkpoint, clung to him, and refused to let go—while insisting the child was hers, according to deputies. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling
Noun
  • Overcoming adhesion challenges A significant hurdle is ensuring strong adhesion of the decorative films on both PV glass modules and metal facade elements.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Perhaps the most crucial aspect of a bath mat, adhesion keeps a bath mat grounded and secure, even when water is running over it.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To adhere it onto the overflow drain, run warm water against the suction cup side and press it firmly against the tub.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Jackets, ties, nylons and shoulder pads made a comeback, all in strict adherence to a dress code that hadn't been revised in decades.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Then just four months ago, the Supreme Court stated that adherence to extant precedent like Humphrey's Executor controls in resolving stay motions.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a city of 20 million people, where most sidewalks are dilapidated, getting stuck in slow-moving traffic can sound as loud as a rock concert.
    Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Caribbean Club This dive bar in Key Largo is stuck in the 1960s in the best way possible.
    Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • McKissack Daniel knows firsthand the challenges that Black women face in the construction industry—securing bonding, raising capital, and being taken seriously in boardrooms still dominated by men.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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