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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These outrageous price increases seem to be nothing more than corporate greed, which is what is gripping the country across the board and helping to keep inflation rising.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026 -
This shoe is also outfitted with a high-traction outsole that effectively grips the ground for a stable landing every time.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dejected and weary, clutching a bag of bread, Pedro walked with a fist pressed to his mouth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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However, that clutch comeback against Green Bay revealed even more growth for the franchise quarterback.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.—
Mustafa Fattah,
NBC news,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In a matter of eight days, the Hornets (14-26) have gone from pummeling the defending champion in Oklahoma City to losing consecutive games at home to Toronto and Indiana in gut-wrenching fashion to recording the largest margin of victory on the road in franchise history by pounding Utah.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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Electronic Frontier Foundation, which describes itself as a nonprofit that defends digital privacy, free speech and innovation, previously said the bill is too vague in defining what counts as negligence by a social media company and could result in broad censorship.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Miami’s first Black Art Basel exhibit was held at the Lyric Theater.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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He was tagged and pictured holding a skull on the group page, ABC 6 reported.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Republicans have largely stood by the president, arguing the military operation was legal and justified.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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She was shot three times by an officer who stood by her front left headlight, who the Department of Homeland Security said was hit by Good and fired in self-defense.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 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 18 Jan. 2026.
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