clung
ˈkləŋ 
; clinging
; clinging
1
a
: to hold together
b
: to adhere as if glued firmly
The shirt clung to his wet shoulders.
c
: to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously
The kitten clung to the narrow branch.
2
a
: to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence
he clung to his friends for support
b
: to remain or linger as if resisting complete spreading or scattering
The odor clung to the room for hours.
plural clings
2
3
: a sheet of material (such as plastic or vinyl) designed to adhere to a flat surface by static electricity and often printed with an image or message
When it's time for a new look, simply peel off the clings and store them away for another day.—
Lorna Hordos
Lorna Hordos
Synonyms
Examples of cling in a Sentence
Verb
The children clung together under the little umbrella waiting for the storm to pass.
a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator
Noun
for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling
Recent Examples on the WebKaren Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Ukraine’s frontline brigades are clinging on – awaiting munitions and air defenses from allies, fresh recruits from a new mobilization law that expanded the eligible age range, and hoping Russian commanders will continue to make mistakes.
—Tim Lister, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
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CLIPPERS
From Broderick Turner: Even with leading man Kawhi Leonard out with a sore right knee, the Clippers still clung to their goal.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The dramatic helicopter rescue of a man who clung to a Northern California cliffside after having fallen off a trail in Golden Gate National Recreation Area was caught on video released by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
—Noah Osborne, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
On a routine dog walk, de Mestral encountered those pesky round green burrs that cling to clothing.
—Duncan Wardle, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Her lover, Jack (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), clings to the panel’s edge, his body mostly submerged underwater.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
The strong, pungent quality of fresh garlic mellows quickly in the oven, and the result is toasty bits of garlic clinging to every cheesy bite of asparagus.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Not having a strong central character sets the series adrift with nothing for the audience to cling to.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Sunset Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
The smell of cigarette smoke and fryer oil hang in the air and cling to weathered vinyl seats like raindrops on a window, evidence of years and years of clientele using the space.
—Korsha Wilson, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024
And in a documentary film about his role in helping Mr. Trump remain in power after losing the 2020 election, Mr. Stone was caught on camera laying out plans to create and exploit uncertainty about the election results to help Mr. Trump cling to power.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024
Businesses listed on the registry will also get official branding in the form of window clings and promotion on official city websites, such as on an online registry.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2023
This window cling set comes with six sheets featuring maple leaves and pine cones.
—Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2023
In the world of window clings, this one has a leg up on the rest.
—Sarah Wolf Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023
To deactivate the cling, swipe a dryer sheet on the problem surface areas.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
The palace and the military cling to each other ever more tightly and rule ever less competently, a political alliance in obvious decline but incapable of either retreat or reform.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
Verb
The White House is clinging to the hope that a pause in the fighting can be won before too long.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Ukraine’s frontline brigades are clinging on – awaiting munitions and air defenses from allies, fresh recruits from a new mobilization law that expanded the eligible age range, and hoping Russian commanders will continue to make mistakes.
—Tim Lister, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Continue reading here Lakers box score NBA scores NBA standings
CLIPPERS
From Broderick Turner: Even with leading man Kawhi Leonard out with a sore right knee, the Clippers still clung to their goal.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The dramatic helicopter rescue of a man who clung to a Northern California cliffside after having fallen off a trail in Golden Gate National Recreation Area was caught on video released by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
—Noah Osborne, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
On a routine dog walk, de Mestral encountered those pesky round green burrs that cling to clothing.
—Duncan Wardle, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Her lover, Jack (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), clings to the panel’s edge, his body mostly submerged underwater.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
The strong, pungent quality of fresh garlic mellows quickly in the oven, and the result is toasty bits of garlic clinging to every cheesy bite of asparagus.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Not having a strong central character sets the series adrift with nothing for the audience to cling to.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
Pesto is made with pistachio and enriched with cream to help the sauce cling to the ridges of the penne.
—Sunset Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
The smell of cigarette smoke and fryer oil hang in the air and cling to weathered vinyl seats like raindrops on a window, evidence of years and years of clientele using the space.
—Korsha Wilson, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024
And in a documentary film about his role in helping Mr. Trump remain in power after losing the 2020 election, Mr. Stone was caught on camera laying out plans to create and exploit uncertainty about the election results to help Mr. Trump cling to power.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024
Businesses listed on the registry will also get official branding in the form of window clings and promotion on official city websites, such as on an online registry.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2023
This window cling set comes with six sheets featuring maple leaves and pine cones.
—Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2023
In the world of window clings, this one has a leg up on the rest.
—Sarah Wolf Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023
To deactivate the cling, swipe a dryer sheet on the problem surface areas.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
The palace and the military cling to each other ever more tightly and rule ever less competently, a political alliance in obvious decline but incapable of either retreat or reform.
—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cling was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing cling
Dictionary Entries Near cling
Cite this Entry
“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cling. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
cling
verbˈkliŋ
clung
ˈkləŋ
; clinging
ˈkliŋ-iŋ
1
: to stick to as if glued
2
: to hold or hold on tightly
clung desperately to the ladder
3
: to remain close : be dependent
clings to the family
More from Merriam-Webster on cling
Nglish: Translation of cling for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cling for Arabic Speakers
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