1
as in to keep (to)
to give steadfast support to
continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
clung to a pole in the subway car to keep from falling as it lurched along
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling (to)
Verb
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Regardless of equipment chosen, the movement begins with your arms extended and your palms facing up while gripping the weight.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026 -
Still, Postecoglou, who only entered the radar of British football fans after taking charge of Celtic in June 2021, manages to grip audiences better than almost anyone else in the game with his straight-talking brand and non-negotiable footballing approach.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Firelight stretched across the line of worshippers as most clutched small candles clad in a paper holder that donned a short message.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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If that sounds like clutching at straws, Italy and Norway have to play the two best men’s teams in Cortina so far, Switzerland and Canada, respectively.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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My stomach clenched with worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, a flurry of moves during the summer window made LAFC among the obvious favorites to compete for the league championship, primarily because Son’s influence made Cherundolo’s defend-and-transition tactics lethal.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
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To defend these rights, our justices must have expertise, independence, and experience.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Gophers and Ducks were both ice cold in the first half, with the U holding an unsightly 22-13 lead.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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This brought Falmouth’s deficit to as low as four points, and Hanover held a narrow 43-37 the end of the quarter.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Friday night, Harry and Meghan grabbed dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, where Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday last August.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Man, like when your hair starts grabbing at your collar.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The portrait of the Prince and the trafficking victim—his hand on her waist; her heartbreaking smile—with Maxwell, the human factor, standing by, will always be the defining image of the Royal Family’s involvement in the Epstein case.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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Even though her black wedding gown unintentionally started a forever style trend for brides wanting something a little less conventional, Parker doesn't necessarily stand by her choice.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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