CLING TO Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

cling (to)

verb

Definition of cling (to)

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

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

The admission was astonishing after his defense team had spent years diligently defending him against the charges.

— Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
In a year where the quality of his car has made any thought of defending his title seem distant, this was a race where Norris looked every bit a world champion.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

The cutest sandal styles don’t always have the best arch support or traction—not to mention, our feet have to grip to hold them in place—while orthopedic sandals aren’t typically known for their stylish aesthetic.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 July 2026
And while Shakira drew big cheers, as did the appearance of Bieber, these paled in comparison to the cheers and oh’s and ah’s in the crowd throughout the gripping final.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 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 video her family shared on Instagram, several police officers can be seen running toward the commotion while parents clutch their children.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 July 2026
Throughout his wanderings, the uxorious Odysseus clings to a little doll figure, intended to represent his wife (like the spinning top clutched by Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Inception'); the real woman is barely more interesting.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of clutch

Verb

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration stood by its main conclusions about the origin of the cyclosporiasis outbreak yesterday after its announcement of a false positive test led to confusion.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 July 2026
The France players headed down the tunnel and England stood by the podium in the middle of the pitch.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of stand by

Verb

The winners will meet up in the November general election in a contest for the seat currently held by Charlie Franklin.

— Nathan Pilling July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Temperatures in France and Spain show no sign of easing, holding steady on Sunday and expected to soar as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) next week, according to local meteorologists.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Photos appear to show one such altercation, with a fan attempting to grab Preston from the sideline.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
And once the stars are out, the fire pits come to life, where kids of all ages can enjoy s’mores by grabbing a kit from the front desk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 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

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cling (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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