CLINGS (TO) Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

clings (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of cling (to)

as in keeps (to)

to give steadfast support to continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion

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as in clutches

to have or keep in one's hands clung to a pole in the subway car to keep from falling as it lurched along

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clings (to)

Verb

Flores, however, stands by the district’s enrollment department’s ability to legitimize the transfer paperwork.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
But Hsu stands by the survey’s soundness and its methodology, which in recent years shifted to gathering survey responses online rather than over the phone.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of stands by

Verb

For years, Guerin has held onto his veteran core like a grandmother clutches her third-generation pearls.

— Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026
In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.

— Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of clutches

Verb

Having taken home the top spot on the 50 Top Pizza list for three years, Una Pizza Napoletana defends its aptonym well.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Elsewhere, Thekla defends the AEW Women's World Championship against Willow Nightingale, who earned the opportunity by winning a Casino Gauntlet match.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of defends

Verb

Your makeup will only look as good as your base, and the hydrating formula leaves a beautiful, glowy canvas that grips onto foundation and prevents makeup from settling into fine lines.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 July 2026
This Laura Geller hydrating primer creates a silky-smooth canvas that grips your foundation for all-day wear.

— Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

Definition of grips

Verb

As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.

— Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

Definition of clenches

Verb

The ship holds 3,260 guests and features 1,646 staterooms, with more restaurants, bars, and lounges than either ship before it.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Wiederaenders holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of holds

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clings (to)

cling (to)

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“Clings (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clings%20%28to%29. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of clings (to)

verb

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