cling (to)

verb

Definition of cling (to)next
1
as in to keep (to)
to give steadfast support to continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands clung to a pole in the subway car to keep from falling as it lurched along

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling (to)
  1. defend
  2. grip
  3. hold to
  4. clutch
  5. stand by
  6. clench
  7. hold
  8. grab
Verb
  • Its formula features Concentrated Miracle Broth, antioxidant-rich Lime Tea Concentrate, and Clarity Algae to help defend against free radicals and improve discoloration.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in January, has repeatedly defended his decision to scrap a years-long subsidy program in 2023 to avoid wasteful spending and invest in infrastructure development.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of defend
Verb
  • The case has gripped Kenya since the discovery of the mass graves.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The European Commission Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood condemned the violence gripping Albania.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Reese, Naz Hilman and Madina Okot were held to 28 points combined with Okot scoring 16 – mostly in the fourth quarter.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • After scoring 14 runs to begin this four-game series, the Royals have been held to just five runs in their last 18 innings.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
Definition of hold to
Verb
  • In a first round that portended a lengthy and bloody fight, the Dodgers clutched to a 1-0 lead after three innings with ace Tarik Skubal on the mound and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski headed for the showers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While out and about, Kardashian was spotted clutching a Hermès Mini Kelly handbag.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • At a news conference Friday, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz and others expressed their appreciation for those who did not stand by.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Those other members of the press rescued her from the attackers while Israel Defense Forces soldiers reportedly stood by.
    — Cameron Peters, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand by
Verb
  • Parents rushing to a reunification center, hearts clenched with the hope of finding their children among the survivors.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The third sits nearer the ear and detects chewing and teeth clenching.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of clench
Verb
  • Deep underground, iron-rich rocks could hold the key to producing hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • One 10-year-old girl, crying and trying to hug her father, was allegedly grabbed by the neck by law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clings (to)
cling (to)
clingy
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Cite this Entry

“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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