hanging 1 of 3

adjective

ˈhaŋ-iŋ How to pronounce hanging (audio)
Definition of hangingnext
1
as in bowing
bending downward or forward hanging branches blocked our way for a good part of the trail

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2
as in dangling
extending freely from a support from above light from a hanging chandelier filled the great hall

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hanging

2 of 3

noun

as in downhill
a downward slope with a steep hanging like that, the roofers can't be too careful

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hanging

3 of 3

verb

present participle of hang
1
as in swinging
to place on an elevated point without support from below hang your coats on the coat rack in the hall

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2
as in depending
to be determined by, based on, or subject (to) our plan to go to the amusement park has all been worked out; now it just hangs on the weather

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3
as in drooping
to be limp from lack of water or vigor as they neared the end of the long, hard march all but the most hardy were hanging, and some could barely put one foot in front of the other

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hovering
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air hanging just above the horizon was a little pink cloud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in basing
to find a basis that's very slim evidence upon which to hang a theory

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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 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
Noun
Our own history is marked by public hangings, some legally sanctioned and others in violation of moral law. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026 After the hanging, Sepahi’s family was reportedly prevented by authorities from burying their son in his hometown. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
The feud between Prince William and Prince Harry has been hanging over the royal family for years, and different members have reacted in diverse ways. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026 The Kindle feels slower than the Paperwhite, occasionally hanging when quickly swiping through collections or loading graphics-heavy pages. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hanging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging
  1. nodding
  2. dangling
  3. downhill
  4. slinging
  5. depending
  6. drooping
  7. hovering
  8. basing
Adjective
  • James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.
    — Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Definition of nodding
Adjective
  • Kelly wore a bright orange Roland Mouret midi dress, paired with light brown stiletto heels and matching jewelry, including multiple rings and small dangling earrings.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • The three cats quickly get distracted, though, by the dangling, bright lightbulb and string hanging above them.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 June 2026
Definition of dangling
Noun
  • Direct water toward the bed by installing a gutter extension, creating a downhill slope, digging a trench or connecting a PVC pipe to a distant gutter and running it underground to the rain garden.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Allen is a solid downhill, change-of-pace runner who can be used in short-yardage situations.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of downhill
Verb
  • Expect to see everyone from locals clad in athleisure to camera-slinging couples in breezy linen button-downs returning from a nearby wine tasting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This is a great combination of quarterbacks who should be slinging the ball and make for an exciting game.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of slinging
Verb
  • The insurance bill for the restaurant varies by month, depending on the claims employees file.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The program would restrict the price of qualifying homes, depending on the county where someone is trying to buy.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of depending
Verb
  • The video shows a city officer responding to a chaotic scene where Belgal — sitting on the ground with his hands behind his back and head drooping to one side — was surrounded by several officials.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • And in a succession of 11 guys (many sporting a striking smoky eye), the jackets were worn sliding down the body, half drooping off the torso, with one shoulder covered and the other exposed.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • So nothing can dissipate the cloud of suspicion hovering over Attorney General James Uthmeier.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Compare that to the country’s overall unemployment rate, which is hovering around 4%.
    — John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hovering
Verb
  • That’s the lovely thing about basing it on a really good book.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • For example, Scott Bernstein, co-founder of the environmental group Center for Neighborhood Technology, worries the agencies are basing their computer models on weather trends using only data collected from 1990 through 2024.
    — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of basing

Browse Nearby Words

hang in
hanging
hanging about
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Cite this Entry

“Hanging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hanging

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