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
-
While Tina Brown ultimately rejected Lemann’s copy—for its lack of pertinent details about the case, which didn’t grip her—the author’s account of the trial was published as a standalone book 40 years ago before falling out of print.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026 -
Why book For that golden intersection of gripping design and home-grown, regenerative ideology, Fowlescombe Farm is remarkably quick to reach by train, despite its bona fide rural location on the fringes of Dartmoor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Morales is seen in surveillance video clutching at Pulido’s sweater a couple of times with Pulido brushing his hand away before Morales returns and the beating and kicking commences.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Steinem entered the quietly buzzing room wearing all black and clutching a wooden cane painted with blue and pink birds in her right hand.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two of them clench in the car, waiting to be let through the border.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
-
May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration reinterpreted Article 9 to allow Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to more actively contribute to international peacekeeping efforts and defend allies.—
Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Cubs will visit Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Braves, already holding an early advantage atop their division, have in-season reinforcements on the way.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Senate Banking Committee is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Warsh on Tuesday.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At one point, one of his attackers grab’s Pierre’s hoodie and throws him to the ground.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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The cat lunged, grabbed Bender’s arm, and just as quickly, the hunter shook it off, and the animal bolted.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mom-to-be smiled down at her husband in one photo, and was pictured standing by herself outside in a few others.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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His endorsers in the Pennsylvania House race stand by him.—
Dan Merica,
Washington Post,
20 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2026.
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