as in swinging
to place on an elevated point without support from below
he dangled the string in front of the cat, hoping that it was in the mood for play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dangling
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The photo of the soldier, a cigarette dangling from his own mouth, went viral and sparked widespread outrage.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The subsequent investigation revealed that the dangling object Estabrook spotted before flagging down the bus was the broken compressor belt.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Avoid long dangling earrings that touch your shoulder or necklaces with many fixtures or clasps.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Most of the group’s funding for these repairs come from festivals hosted on the mansion grounds, Strawberry Festival in early June, along with Halloween and Christmas celebrations, featuring an upside-down tree dangling from the entryway ceiling.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Anyway, video went viral Wednesday night of the man dangling off the ledge in what appeared to be the 200s section for reasons unknown.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Full-on gold with an oversized melange of jewels dangling from them.
—Essence, 5 May 2026
Finally, Mira chalked her hands, boosted herself onto a dangling metal hoop, flipped upside down, and hung from a single knee, arms spread out like a rotor.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Adjective
While the design here is emphatically traditional, a dose of modern whimsy comes through with a dangling, multi-floor chandelier loosely inspired by jellyfish.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Photos shared by firefighters showed the motorcycle dangling by its front wheel from the traffic signal pole following the crash, and onlookers who spoke with CBC shared their shock at the scene.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
The photo of the soldier, a cigarette dangling from his own mouth, went viral and sparked widespread outrage.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The subsequent investigation revealed that the dangling object Estabrook spotted before flagging down the bus was the broken compressor belt.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Avoid long dangling earrings that touch your shoulder or necklaces with many fixtures or clasps.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Most of the group’s funding for these repairs come from festivals hosted on the mansion grounds, Strawberry Festival in early June, along with Halloween and Christmas celebrations, featuring an upside-down tree dangling from the entryway ceiling.
—Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Anyway, video went viral Wednesday night of the man dangling off the ledge in what appeared to be the 200s section for reasons unknown.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Full-on gold with an oversized melange of jewels dangling from them.
—Essence, 5 May 2026
Finally, Mira chalked her hands, boosted herself onto a dangling metal hoop, flipped upside down, and hung from a single knee, arms spread out like a rotor.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangling
hanging
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangling. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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