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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They're dressed differently each year — alternately wearing a Christmas sweater or clutching a Georgia peach ice cream sandwich — and officials haven't confirmed or denied rumors this might be their last year on the shelves.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Unfortunately, turbulence is getting worse as global weather patterns change, which can leave even confident passengers clutching their armrests from time to time.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the end of the arm is a gripper that can apply up to 170 newtons (38 pound-force) of gripping force.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Gang violence gripping Port-au-Prince disrupts aid delivery and goods transportation, leaving families in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country with impossible survival choices as the economy contracts for the seventh year.—
Evens Sanon,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moore spoke briefly in court, thanking his wife for standing by him but not saying anything about Shiver.—
Larry Lage,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
How exactly could the Heat justify standing by a group that lost 10 in a row, was repeatedly blown out at home and was swept out of the playoffs by the largest margin in NBA history (122 points)?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Simply holding the mandolin had transported me back fifty years.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Min Aung Hlaing, who had attained the rank of senior general, last week relinquished his post of commander-in-chief because the constitution prohibits the president from simultaneously holding the top military position.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Reaves, meanwhile, spent much of the first quarter grabbing at his back.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Dream will open the 2026 season at home on May 17 against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Jack Nicklaus missed the cut in 1967 as the two-time defending champion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 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 15 Apr. 2026.
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