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)
Verb
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The schoolchildren said they were sometimes ordered to strip to their underwear or be naked and told to squat with their arms extended, gripping heavy rocks.—
MARK BANCHEREAU THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026 -
In the video, one young man can be seen repeatedly beating an individual lying on the ground while another suspect gripped the victim’s foot, restraining him in place.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There was a scary moment in the second half when the Knights' John Bol fell to the floo r clutching his chest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
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In a high-scoring affair that included 12 lead changes, the Magic staved off a Cleveland comeback late thanks to clutch shooting from beyond the arc and at the free throw line to capture a 128-122 victory, marking Orlando’s fifth in a row.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.—
Rick Maese,
Washington Post,
19 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV stepped up to the microphone and with unvarnished vigor defended his quarterback.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Coyotes vocalize to defend their territories and for inter-pack communication.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Balat and Kayumi were being held without bail after their court appearance on charges that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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The lawsuit also claims that the federal government had not conducted an environmental review of the project or held a meeting for public comment.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Heo re-holstered his Taser, intending to apprehend Best by grabbing or tackling him, Prescott said.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
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While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And now, with this second season pick-up, AMC Networks has stood by their conviction with this wholly original satire.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
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The president had stood by her for months despite a string of controversies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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