cling (to)

verb

Definition of cling (to)next
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

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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)
  1. defend
  2. grip
  3. hold to
  4. clutch
  5. stand by
  6. clench
  7. hold
  8. grab
Verb
  • We grow practiced at defending art by describing its return on investment.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Andrés Zamora, Secuoya Studios’ director of global sales and distribution, said such deals underline the role distribution can play in financing projects, while also forcing producers to defend their position.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Verb
  • Another episode of Survivor 51, another fantastic, gripping tribal council.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the beautiful, sometimes ingenious products and technologies developed with the rise of the modern era gripped the popular imagination and made life easier, healthier and more connected.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Reese, Naz Hilman and Madina Okot were held to 28 points combined with Okot scoring 16 – mostly in the fourth quarter.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • After scoring 14 runs to begin this four-game series, the Royals have been held to just five runs in their last 18 innings.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
Definition of hold to
Verb
  • In a first round that portended a lengthy and bloody fight, the Dodgers clutched to a 1-0 lead after three innings with ace Tarik Skubal on the mound and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski headed for the showers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While out and about, Kardashian was spotted clutching a Hermès Mini Kelly handbag.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • In another email later Wednesday afternoon, Lee said ABC News’ editors had reviewed the language and were standing by the piece.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • She was criticized for doing so, though not universally; some Black Democrats, including Cleaver, stood by her, pointing to her history of fighting for causes that matter to Black communities.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand by
Verb
  • Anyone who’s seen a movie before will know to clench at Nelson’s close attention to such random and innocent people.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • This can lead women to clench their jaws or pelvic muscles, or grind their teeth.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of clench
Verb
  • The Florida National Guard, the State Emergency Operations Center, State Guard and AT&T Disaster Services are holding aircraft and equipment there, the airport said.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The center held its first rage retreat in May with 16 participants, Lev said, and another is planned for late October.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Ditto for the reinterpretation of thong sandals that grabbed attention at Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier, or the clear vinyl-like styles seen at Balenciaga, Chloé, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney and Moschino, among others.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Mel Ismail, a 56-year-old father, was rescued by another surfer who just happened to show up at the beach and was willing to risk his own life by grabbing his board and heading towards the bloody water.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clings (to)
cling (to)
clingy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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