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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Trent Thompson, 58, of Florence, Alabama, says the recent hangings and deaths of Black people led to talk in the Black community about the death this summer of Nolan Xavier Wells. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 For example, the Ostand case creates a quick filming stand, a hands-free hanging point, and a magnetic connection for compatible accessories. — New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
Fortune's body was found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home on Road of Remembrance days later. — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 The look started with a sheer black top with a high neckline and sleeves broken up by tiers of fabric, with long panels hanging over the bronze pleated skirt. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 24 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
  • Trump’s tariff-slinging made companies less, not more, likely to put their faith in a North American supply chain, which is inextricably intertwined across a number of industries.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of slinging
Verb
  • The aircraft has an endurance of more than 30 hours, depending on its configuration and mission profile, and can achieve a maximum speed of approximately 210 knots.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Contributions would increase depending on family size, with a family of four expected to pay $500,000, officials said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of depending
Verb
  • Signs of a stroke include a sudden intense headache, confusion, trouble speaking, loss of balance, face drooping, sudden blurred vision and more.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
  • The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s central plaza, which spreads out beneath the building’s curved, hovering form, was always meant to be a generous civic space.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Clear blue skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus, where a cool breeze is wafting by and the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of critters.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hovering
Verb
  • Godshalk also recommends choosing basing flowers to add complementary texture and color to the parallel plant material.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota currently leads the B-21 basing effort.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hanging

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hanging

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