Synonyms of clingy

clingy

adjective

ˈkliŋ-ē 

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

• adhesive
• sticky
• adherent
• tenacious
• gummy
• tacky
• glutinous
• viscous
• gluey
• gelatinous
• viscid
• syrupy
• gooey
• ropy
• pitchy
• tarry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviscous
• nonadhesive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clingy

This cleaner sprays on and foams up to lift and suspend clingy particulates. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Kids with an anxious attachment can be clingy, sensitive, and have low-esteem. — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 11 June 2026

Calvin Klein hasn’t owned Calvin Klein for decades, but the most Calvin Klein-y part of Calvin Klein — the clingy white boxer briefs that Marky Mark once donned on billboards over Times Square — is suddenly back in fashion. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026

The first police officer to arrive on scene found Rylaarsdam performing CPR on Dale, who was wearing sweatpants and shiny black boots and was wrapped in clingy plastic from about the thighs down. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026