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
-
State and federal investigators returned Tuesday to a North Texas home at the center of the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy, digging up parts of the backyard as authorities pursue new leads in a case that has gripped the community for years.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 May 2026 -
April’s inflation rate means prices are now rising faster than wages for the first time since 2023, which could aggravate the affordability crisis that has already been gripping consumers.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Knives are clutched, teeth are clenched, and a desperate Russian ex-pat yells loud enough for their long-dead ancestors to hear all the way back in the motherland.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
-
Featuring live event faceoffs, an all-new batch of celebrity competitors and surprise guests, each episode delivers high-energy showdowns where skill, creativity, and clutch performance take center stage.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Participants alternately clenched their toes (rock), spread them apart (paper) and crossed the big toe over the others (scissors).—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The two of them clench in the car, waiting to be let through the border.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump nominates Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA, a surprising comeback after the former Navy SEAL was fired last May for defending the agency’s existence amid calls to dismantle it.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
And next Monday, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will come to Petco Park.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
At the time of the wedding, several of Collins and Green's guests shared photos of the newlyweds smiling and holding hands while celebrating their nuptials.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The Golden Knights carried play for much of the first period, but Dostal stood tall in net to hold the Ducks in it.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Executives said the focus this year has been on grabbing the biggest audiences and on how artificial intelligence is improving data and outcomes.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
Reid played a big role in the season-saving quarter as well, scoring six points, grabbing three boards and picking up two assists, including a no-look dish to Gobert for a dunk with three minutes to play.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Police on the scene noted that after firing those fatal shots, Myers stood by the body and made no attempt to perform life-saving measures.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The versatile actress stood by or understudied for the likes of Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Marian Seldes, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange during her long stage career.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
