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 This highly dependent dog breed can be clingy, constantly seeking interactions and often experiencing separation anxiety. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Styled by Dani Michelle, the Rhode founder has shown a penchant for silky Tom Ford-era Gucci and buttery Saint Laurent blazers, clingy Mugler dresses and sweet Donna Karan sets. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025 But even more remarkable were the clingy pantsuits in the same shade, mixed with white and red minidresses tied with equally bold red bowties. Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025 All this comes out as Cynthia lets her clingy white colleague, Janine, accompany her. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clingy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clingy
Adjective
  • Tesla has issued at least eight recalls for the vehicle, including a recall in March affecting every single Cybertruck ever delivered through February 2025—some 46,000-plus vehicles—due to adhesive failure causing body panels to detach.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Let the adhesive dry and then test to see if your floorboard is firmly attached.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To keep them from being a problem indoors in the first place, hang sticky traps in the garage near entrances to your home.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
  • That engagement with the sport – that sticky thing that separates casual viewers from lifelong fans — is buoyed and sustained online in the days between races.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clingy. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!