hanging 1 of 3

Definition of hangingnext

hanging

2 of 3

noun

hanging

3 of 3

verb

present participle of hang
1
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
Believe it or not, many modern garment bags come with extra storage features for things like laptops, shoes, and non-hanging clothes. Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2022 One such trip for Buttigieg happens to be to New Hampshire Monday to do two hanging-curveball events—one on expanding commuter rail, the other on money in the infrastructure bill to improve the Manchester mill yard. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 13 Dec. 2021
Noun
Around 20,000 people gathered to watch the execution, the largest crowd for a hanging in early American history. Michael Loria, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025 Thoughtful extras include thumbholes to keep sleeves in place, an elastic zipper pull that doubles as an emergency hair tie, and a locker loop for easy hanging. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Reach down and grab the kettlebell with your right hand, returning to this position where your body is parallel to the floor, with the weight hanging straight down from your right shoulder. Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026 Hiking below the steep red cliffs surrounding Zion Canyon is truly awe-inspiring, as are the park's slot canyons, emerald-colored pools, and waterfalls with hanging gardens. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hanging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging
Adjective
  • Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For skiing and snowboarding, Terry Peak, the Midwest's highest downhill ski area, is about 20 miles south of Spearfish and offers multiple runs and lifts.
    Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The resort will host the best men’s and women’s downhill racers, including Lindsey Vonn, for their final events before the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.
    Jamey Keaten, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Friday starts out warm and dry, possibly some early sunshine, and a chance to hit 60, depending on when showers arrive.
    Bill Kelly, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Who else can pull off sequins and spandex or a Dodgers jersey with a bandana, depending on the day?
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This will help keep drooping earrings upright and help distribute the weight more evenly.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Stay below 10% alcohol, and your paperwhite bulbs will still produce beautiful blooms when their water is spiked, just without the tall, drooping stems.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The vessel is capable of station keeping and hovering.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Half of Jewish Americans ages 18-34 believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza; that percentage number is hovering in the 30s among older groups, according to a September 2025 poll by the Washington Post.
    Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The town’s attorneys have had to make that case to several property owners in the utility’s service area already, basing their views on prior court cases from other Arizona towns.
    Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Issei Kato | Reuters Eight years ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promoted a next-generation Roadster, basing the name of the sports car on the company’s debut electric vehicle from 2008.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
  • The lineup includes mashups such as the Surf N' Turf burger, a Chicken Cheeseburger and the returning Chicken Big Mac, along with novelty items like an Espresso Milkshake, an Apple Pie Mini McFlurry and Big Mac sauce sold separately as a dip.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Democrats counter that 2026 is different from any other election cycle in Abbott’s tenure, and recent independent polling has indicated dips in his job approval rating.
    Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hanging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on 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!