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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

hanging

2 of 3

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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 Max Houser 6-Tier Hanging Closet Shelf Instantly create more hanging space with this fabric shelving unit that makes use of otherwise dead vertical space. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
The revamp also involved replacing the coral velvet wall hangings with green silk damask and updating the gallery’s lighting. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026 Two years after the hanging, Parliament passed a law allowing a diminished responsibility defense. — ABC News, 8 July 2026
Verb
Located at the gateway to Zion National Park, there’s no better way to experience fall colors than exploring the iconic trails within, and a day hiking The Narrows reveals dramatic canyon walls that frame vibrant trees hanging over the Virgin River. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Let your child eat, get dressed and get ready without a countdown hanging over the morning, according to PBS. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 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
  • Squiban slid off her bike heading into a turn on a downhill section and landed heavily on her left side.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Still one of the hottest downhill destination in the Europe right now?
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
Definition of downhill
Verb
  • Sony and Marvel’s web-slinging adventure, starring Tom Holland as the title hero, flew past the billion-dollar mark in just six days and is barreling toward $2 billion.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Taking a break from slinging hamburgers during the weekend lunch rush, Darlene Dumond acknowledged that Allagash remains divided on Jackson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of slinging
Verb
  • Desperate for answers, Reeder is depending on detectives investigating his daughter’s disappearance to crack the case.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • That trial is scheduled to begin next month, but could be pushed back or canceled altogether depending on what the judge decides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of depending
Verb
  • Do this for all faded, brown, or drooping blooms on the shrub.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026
  • On June 15, Andy and Ruben’s mom, Chantal, returned home from walking the dog to find their son on the bathroom floor, shaking, with the left side of his face drooping.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • No one will string the words together and actually say it out loud, but as former players and Campbell tap-dance around the uncomfortable question about what’s changed, the message hovering between the lines is not difficult to read.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Average costs for the potassium-rich fruit have seen little change as of late, hovering between 65 and 67 cents over the last 12 months.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of hovering
Verb
  • Overall, Red Sea basing to date has focused more on crisis response in East Africa, countering and competing against Russia and China.
    — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Its strategic forward basing in Guam boosts warfighting readiness, demonstrating the Virginia-class platform's endurance and effectiveness in the Western Pacific.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of basing

Browse Nearby Words

hang in
hanging
hanging about
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hanging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hanging

Nglish: Translation of hanging for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hanging

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All