CLINGING (TO) Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

clinging (to)

verb

present participle of cling (to)

as in keeping (to)

to give steadfast support to continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion

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as in clenching

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinging (to)

Verb

Democrats are more than happy to draw those connections, pummeling their Republican rivals for standing by a president who is unpopular with so many voters.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026
There’s no better example of people standing by while something’s going down than the Cornell Seven.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of standing by

Verb

The third sits nearer the ear and detects chewing and teeth clenching.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Years ago, after Jake died, my instinct as a medical student was anger — clenching my teeth and jabbing a pen into my notepad, making a line of inky holes along the margin.

— Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of clenching

Verb

We grow practiced at defending art by describing its return on investment.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Netflix bought exclusive rights to broadcast the 2030 World Cup in co-host Spain on Tuesday in a deal that lets a free-to-air public broadcaster show games each day including the defending champion’s.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of defending

Verb

Recent polls have shown Jackson holding only a narrow lead over Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
France is holding its presidential elections in April 2027, and the far-right and far-left are leading the opinion polls.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

Friday’s exhibition contest featured a 22-0 KU run in the first half, the Jayhawks responding to Pitt State grabbing an early 22-21 lead.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Keeping the shoes simple with a more eye-grabbing dress has been her outfit formula as of late.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbing

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clinging

clinging (to)

clings

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

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Synonyms of clinging (to)

verb

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