as in adhesion
a physical sticking to as if by glue
for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
as in adhesive
tending to adhere to objects upon contact
it took forever to clean up the clingy Styrofoam pellets that had been used as packing material for the lamp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cling
Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
This assemblage stays stuck to the body using electric forces known as van der Waals interactions—the same forces that help geckoes cling cling to walls.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2015
Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2025
What caused it? March 27, 2025 12:11 PM Read Next
California
Sea lion clung to life as waves battered CA harbor.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025
Dogs that are frequently left alone may become more clingy or sensitive to social cues when their owners return.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cling
Noun
To simplify the cling wrap experience, start with the box.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
This assemblage stays stuck to the body using electric forces known as van der Waals interactions—the same forces that help geckoes cling cling to walls.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2015
Verb
The humid wind meant that makeup ran, clothing clung to dampened skin, and the large crowds didn’t find much relief in the shade.
—Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2025
What caused it? March 27, 2025 12:11 PM Read Next
California
Sea lion clung to life as waves battered CA harbor.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
The child may become clingy, fearing abandonment and needing constant reassurance.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025
Dogs that are frequently left alone may become more clingy or sensitive to social cues when their owners return.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling
Noun
-
Octopus tentacles have remarkably strong suckers with an adhesion power that could be an asset to soft robots that need to pick things up and hold onto them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 June 2025
-
The researchers tested the device’s long-term adhesion and electrical performance and compared it to the current, standard EEG using multiple electrodes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Zoox also uses robots for specific tasks on the floor like applying adhesive for glass installation and transporting the robotaxi from station to station down the assembly line.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
-
Last year, during Design Week, Davide Groppi unveiled Endless, an adhesive, conductive strip that can be applied to any kind of surface.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Far from being mere amenities, these elements are essential for reducing stress, improving treatment adherence and contributing to faster, more complete recovery.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
What are the requirements to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader? Being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader requires strict adherence to a series of rules.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Our formulas are oxybenzone-free, water- and sweat-resistant, and designed lightweight unlike typical sport sunscreens that leave you feeling sticky or break down in the heat of competition.—
Dave Knox,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Season 3, relentless in its examination of the sticky contours of Carm’s trauma, offered fewer bursts of that kind of respite.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
There’s a difference between being open and emotionally dumping in the name of bonding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Once a year at Vanderbilt University, current and former tight ends gather for three days of bonding, collaboration and learning from one another.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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