1
as in keeping (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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clenching
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 clinging (to)
Verb
-
Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, Miska is surrounded by blankets, clutching a plush toy, and resting peacefully as the swing rocks gently.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The prisoner organization posted a video on social media of Bseis being reunited with his relatives, with one woman breaking down in tears and clutching a smiling Bseis' arm.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s measured by gripping a handheld dynamometer.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
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The satire on higher education is rich, yet the larger themes about one’s purpose and ideas are gripping.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The continent that invented and spun out the internet from its first-class research institutions now risks standing by as US founders scale with ease.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
By that third one, Fuller says, Maggie Murdaugh is not just standing by her man.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
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Boise State led just 17-14 at halftime despite holding New Mexico to 62 total yards.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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This could mean opting for non-cocoa items or grabbing a treat with filler that is not 100% cocoa.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Airborne and amphibious warfare are key capabilities for defending Japanese islands beyond the four main islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu—as they are designed to project forces from the sea and air to retake islands occupied by an enemy.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Barry has spent 26 years handling Hatch Act cases, defending both Republicans and Democrats.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Clinging (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinging%20%28to%29. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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