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
Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
The film also ends with a dangling thread involving Martina Rajan (Maša Lizdek).
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
In the final three minutes of regulation Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Ehlers flashed that ability, dangling his way through the Penguins to enter the offensive zone and pick up an assist on K’Andre Miller’s tying goal.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
For example, the Daodejing criticizes the ruling class and its talent-recruitment system for dangling enticing status markers that could never be fully achieved.
—Stephen Chen, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
But this time, the company is also dangling an extra $50 discount to lure in new users to the satellite internet service.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Now, the president is dangling the possibility of backing Cornyn to pressure Senate Republicans to advance the tougher voter ID bill.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Back then, the dress was styled with butter yellow satin mules and dangling crystal fringe earrings.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Next, Johnson takes on Styles’ iconic 2019 Met Gala outfit, a frilly, sheer lace top paired with black pants and a dangling pearl earring.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Mar. 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 Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies are investigating the crash, which tore off the nose of the aircraft, leaving mangled parts of the front of the plane dangling toward the ground.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
The film also ends with a dangling thread involving Martina Rajan (Maša Lizdek).
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
In the final three minutes of regulation Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Ehlers flashed that ability, dangling his way through the Penguins to enter the offensive zone and pick up an assist on K’Andre Miller’s tying goal.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
For example, the Daodejing criticizes the ruling class and its talent-recruitment system for dangling enticing status markers that could never be fully achieved.
—Stephen Chen, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
But this time, the company is also dangling an extra $50 discount to lure in new users to the satellite internet service.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Now, the president is dangling the possibility of backing Cornyn to pressure Senate Republicans to advance the tougher voter ID bill.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Back then, the dress was styled with butter yellow satin mules and dangling crystal fringe earrings.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Next, Johnson takes on Styles’ iconic 2019 Met Gala outfit, a frilly, sheer lace top paired with black pants and a dangling pearl earring.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangling
hanging
Adjective
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Leaving either of those bare was a topic of discussion, Carney says; a trade-off between the goal of paying homage to Steinway’s legacy and getting enough hanging space.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangling. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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