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
-
Protect against teeth grinding, clenching and enamel damage with custom dental solutions from ClearClub.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026 -
Melvin Council stood amid a crowd of his Kansas teammates, clenching a black belt in his fist.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Such desperate attempts at grandiosity evoke empty vanity, clutching at physical monuments to prove a greatness that history has not yet conferred.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The actress posed in a field of flowers while clutching her bare chest.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a bright afternoon along Biscayne Boulevard, a Route 3 bus pulls up already packed, bodies pressed against windows, riders gripping overhead bars just to stay upright.—
Yaelis Pena,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
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In both scenarios, the astronauts performed repetitive movements while gripping an object, which were later studied by the team (back on Earth).—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mom-to-be smiled down at her husband in one photo, and was pictured standing by herself outside in a few others.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect was there, standing by his black 2000 Ford Ranger pickup.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three San Diego police officers who fatally shot a man holding what appeared to be a real gun during a 2022 standoff have been cleared of any criminal liability, the California Department of Justice said Friday, but state investigators recommended a few policy changes for the department.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The truce appeared to be largely holding overnight.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Cubs will visit Dodger Stadium this weekend for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka should have his team defending with much more urgency, and Houston’s top frontcourt weapon is also likely to bounce back.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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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 23 Apr. 2026.
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