clinging

present participle of cling
as in adhering
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clinging The lightweight fabric drapes beautifully without clinging, while the elastic drawstring waistband keeps them comfortable during long flights and road trips. Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 New Orleans Museum of Art, permanent collection Visitors appear to be clinging to the façade of a Haussmannian building several stories above a Paris street, defying gravity with effortless ease. Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Like my favorite all-wheat pastas, it’s made in Italy and bronze-cut, which means each noodle is extruded through a bronze mold to create a textured, porous surface that’s especially great at clinging onto sauce. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2026 Sunbathers drifted in and out of The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar on a recent summer day, with sea salt still clinging to their swimsuits. Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026 The five survivors were found late Saturday afloat, clinging to a fish trap belonging to a local fisherman, Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the Makassar Search and Rescue Office, said in a statement. ABC News, 18 July 2026 Absolutely incredible and clinging to the edge of my seat the entire time. David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026 Its effortlessly drapey silhouette skims the body without clinging, while the high neckline lends a polished, sophisticated touch that’s easy to dress up or down. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 Deputies learned that a sailboat capsized in the water and three people were clinging to the side of the vessel. Tim Fang, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinging
Verb
  • Unlike in Cutud, participants are mostly female faith healers adhering not to vows but to mystic trances and possession.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • Decorating rules can be helpful guidelines, but adhering too strictly to conventional wisdom can seriously cramp your style.
    Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • SerpApi is hoping that the fight will be over soon, telling Ars that the costly legal battle is worth sticking it out to defend the open web.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
  • The site points out that dogs sticking their head or paws out the window could lead to them darting out or getting injured, and the brand says pets should be restricted to the backseat.
    Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinging. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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