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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cling
Patrick Mercier, IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2020
Beneath the ocean’s surface, abalone cling to the seabed with a strong, foot-like appendage and dwell in radiant shells to stay safe from predators.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
An anti-static finish keeps the fabric from clinging mid-flight, while a flat front waistband smooths and flatters.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Meade herself is seen smiling throughout the clips, the dog's clingy antics clearly more endearing than annoying.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cling
Noun
Something stretchy like nylon or cling wrap would be much better.
—Patrick Mercier, IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2020
Beneath the ocean’s surface, abalone cling to the seabed with a strong, foot-like appendage and dwell in radiant shells to stay safe from predators.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
Much like their Liverpool counterparts, Manchester United’s fans have clung to their history in dark moments.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
An anti-static finish keeps the fabric from clinging mid-flight, while a flat front waistband smooths and flatters.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Luckily for Addai-Robinson and for us, O'Connor and returning writer Bill Dubuque are quick to reunite the Accountant with his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal), an emotionally clingy contract killer.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Meade herself is seen smiling throughout the clips, the dog's clingy antics clearly more endearing than annoying.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling
Noun
-
Moreover, integrin β1 is seen to strengthen cell-substrate adhesions in fibroblasts, potentially offering an explanation for the thicker stress fibers seen in older cells.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
-
These products might restore the paint's adhesion properties.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The model consists of an aluminum frame covered in latex, foam, straw, acrylic paint and adhesive, all attached to a metal base.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Phone grips have been around for a while, popularized by PopSockets, but the ones in this guide attach via magnets instead of an adhesive or a clamp.—
Brenda Stolyar,
Wired News,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Brian by Jeremy Cooper Brian is a thirtysomething council worker in London who has always led a solitary life, one marked by an obsessive adherence to routine.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 May 2025
-
The Morality-Legality Divide In Business Legality refers to adherence to laws and regulations.—
Venkat Rao,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the U.S. central bank are meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, trying to chart a path where the U.S. can avoid both a recession and sticky inflation.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
6 May 2025
-
Relevance is a particularly sticky word, one that lacks nuance.—
Eric Crosby,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Especially, in today’s digital world, where children often find their first communities on social media or gaming apps, intentional family bonding is much needed.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
In corporate America there is immense pressure to drink with colleagues and professional contacts as a means of bonding.—
Maya Richard-Craven,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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