belonging 1 of 2

noun

bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ How to pronounce belonging (audio)
Definition of belongingnext
1
as in intimacy
the state of being in a very personal or private relationship the warm welcome they received from the community gave them a sense of belonging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in possession
belongings plural transportable items that one owns packed up all their belongings and moved across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

belonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belong
1
as in staying
to have or be in a usual or proper place your shoes belong in the closet, not in the middle of the living room where people will trip on them

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2
as in pertaining
to be the property of a person or group of persons those textbooks belong to the school system and not to the students

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 belonging
Noun
This is the best way to give your new home a great foundation for working in the rest of your belongings, and will make your space feel inviting from your very first night. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 Shrestha was among mothers and children who began to return to their school on Sunday to find the kids' belongings and see what could be salvaged. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
Theater, in other words, that was creating a sense of belonging and not simply stoking an appetite for consuming. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Organizers said the goal of the event was not only to condemn hate, but also to reinforce a sense of community and belonging for residents across Metro Detroit. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging
  1. intimacy
  2. possession
  3. staying
  4. pertaining
  5. familiarity
  6. things
  7. going
  8. kinship
Noun
  • Her gaze gives both scenes an inviting intimacy, like the audience has a front-row seat to Alice letting her guard down.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The threat of the prison is that you’re targeted and unfree, packed into a queasy, pressurized intimacy with the most dangerous parts of yourself and others.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimacy
Noun
  • Geneva rolled up 466 yards and crossed the goal line on six of its 10 possessions.
    — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The 10-play scoring drive was possible in part because of a 17-yard pass from Hyppolite to Ty Hayes on fourth and 5 that kept the possession alive and moved them into the red zone.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of possession
Verb
  • Text messages outline concerns over a diabetic coma Blodgett was staying at a foster home in metro Phoenix where only the house manager was trained in managing his diabetes.
    — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There are hotels where the lobby is the main event, designed as much for the people dropping in for a drink as those actually staying there.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of staying
Verb
  • What started in one state court has now spread across the country, with a plethora of athletes filing lawsuits against the NCAA, and now SEC, over new guidelines enacted pertaining to the five-for-five eligibility.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • While sections pertaining to the house itself are both gripping and eerie (rooms flood, tiles rearrange, visions flicker), the real terror comes from human history.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pertaining
Noun
  • Getty One of the Hard Rock's staying powers comes from making that familiarity feel rooted in the destination.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • McDonough has an experienced resume, with plenty of familiarity leading a company involved in manufacturing.
    — Jeff Marks,Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiarity
Noun
  • You could be tempted to dismiss a creative venture or categorize a social invite as frivolous, all because there are more productive things to do.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The curved back is another nice touch that keeps things modern and fresh.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of things
Verb
  • And in 1963, Steinem gained national attention for going undercover at one of Hugh Hefner's nightclubs.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Cristobal still preaches relentless effort, a pursuit of excellence and, of course, the team focusing on going 1-0 every week.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of going
Noun
  • Carrington in particular models what some have termed an ecofeminist approach, one that does not appropriate animals for the artist’s own self-revelation but instead develops kinship across species.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Many here say that, despite Iceland’s European roots, the country feels just as much kinship with the United States – if not more.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kinship

Browse Nearby Words

belonged
belonging
belongings
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Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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