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
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
As first reported by the Daily News, a dangling panel from an Amtrak Acela train sparked an electrical fire earlier this month that knocked out service to the station for two days.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The image emphasizes her tall stovepipe hat, ample lace collar, a dress with detailed embroidery or brocade, and a pearl earring dangling from her left ear.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
The new iteration of the tiny club has a jungle-meets-the-shires feel with palm trees, vines and dangling wisteria and serves electric bright cocktails like frozen hibiscus margaritas.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
For now, Addiss and Matthews speak with Entertainment Weekly about all those dangling threads.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
In Expedition Odyssey, passengers sit side by side in long rows, legs dangling, facing a large domed screen.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Her boss is dangling a promotion in the hopes of stretching her 40-hour workweek to new, unhealthy limits.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
Which is good, since the ending leaves just enough loose ends dangling to set up some promising potential avenues for a season two.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 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
The sculpture, built as part of Kansas City’s annual Parade of Hearts, was made to be nearly indestructible — safe from children dangling from the bee’s antennas or climbing on the structure.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
As first reported by the Daily News, a dangling panel from an Amtrak Acela train sparked an electrical fire earlier this month that knocked out service to the station for two days.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The image emphasizes her tall stovepipe hat, ample lace collar, a dress with detailed embroidery or brocade, and a pearl earring dangling from her left ear.
—Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
The new iteration of the tiny club has a jungle-meets-the-shires feel with palm trees, vines and dangling wisteria and serves electric bright cocktails like frozen hibiscus margaritas.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
For now, Addiss and Matthews speak with Entertainment Weekly about all those dangling threads.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
In Expedition Odyssey, passengers sit side by side in long rows, legs dangling, facing a large domed screen.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Her boss is dangling a promotion in the hopes of stretching her 40-hour workweek to new, unhealthy limits.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
Which is good, since the ending leaves just enough loose ends dangling to set up some promising potential avenues for a season two.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 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 2 Jun. 2026.
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