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
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
There can be sumptuous frocks and silk wall hangings, but the gaze that gets drawn to them should not be your own. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 Those hangings were ultimately ruled as suicides, but widespread criticism of the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast last month, has further led to questions about how Fortune died. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
Even if the Fed leaves rates unchanged, waiting until after the announcement would remove at least some of the uncertainty currently hanging over the gold market. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 Her body was discovered in a bathroom, hanging by the neck from the towel rack. — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 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
  • 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
  • The Picklejus aims for the complete package in mountain running, tackling not just distances greater than 100 miles but also the dramatic uphills and downhills that may come along the way.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of downhill
Verb
  • Steinem set out to expose the working conditions and interior lives of the bunnies slinging booze to the playboys who patronized the club.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of slinging
Verb
  • Closing timelines can also vary depending on the lender with which Quicken Loans pairs you.
    — Dan Simms, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • As a result, unlike their civilian counterparts, some troops can see their paychecks change many times a year, depending on many factors — something that also increases the likelihood of errors.
    — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of depending
Verb
  • Petals that are fading, drooping, dropping off, or turning brown are all signs that the flower is reaching the end of its life and is ready to be removed.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Nutrient Deficiencies While less common, peace lilies can eventually exhaust the supply of nutrients in their potting soil and start drooping as a result.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • Alcaraz, hovering north and south, blasting the ball into the corners.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Shares fell roughly 20% on Friday, with the stock hovering at an eight-year low.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of hovering
Verb
  • Take full advantage of these expert recs by basing yourself directly in the Rockaways.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In monitoring potential large basing patterns over the last few weeks, Spotify has continued to pop up on our radar screens.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hanging

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hanging

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