CLINGY Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

clingy

adjective

ˈkliŋ-ē

Definition of clingy

as in adhesive

tending to adhere to objects upon contact it took forever to clean up the clingy Styrofoam pellets that had been used as packing material for the lamp

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 clingy There had been an embarrassing episode in Scotland, again on a golf course, in which Harp had made the gaffe of being overly clingy. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 As someone who gets bothered by a restricting, clingy sweater, a drapey short-sleeve pick like this one from Anthropologie is a must in my wardrobe. — Anna Traver, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026 Others get quiet, clingy or suddenly complain of stomachaches and headaches. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Fabrics that have a dry hand are cooler and less clingy on the body. — Hannah Engler Harvey, Longreads, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clingy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clingy

Adjective

For phones without MagSafe, a magnetic adhesive ring comes in the box.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026
The researchers managed to engineer a special strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast that produces extremely adhesive proteins.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of adhesive

Adjective

Will Brantley, president of the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said sticky and chewy candies tend to cling to teeth, leaving behind sugary residue that can contribute to cavities.

— Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Build up of sticky food residue on bottom of ice cream mix coolers and the floor in front of units.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sticky

Browse Nearby Words

cling (to)

clingy

clinic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clingy. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of clingy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

asunder

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes