CLINGS (TO) Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

clings (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of cling (to)

as in keeps (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 clutches

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 clings (to)

Verb

Holmes denies having said it, and the remark isn’t on the couple’s own recordings of the interviews in question, but, to their dismay, the article’s editor, after reviewing the journalist’s notes, stands by the reporting.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Flock stands by the accuracy and integrity of its technology and intends to vigorously defend itself in this litigation.

— Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stands by

Verb

Continue reading … SOUR NOTE — Hayley Williams unleashes vulgar insult at DHS after agency defends ICE officers.

— , FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Hugo Weaving plays a brilliant but disgraced attorney, drowning in debt, who reluctantly defends an allegedly dangerous dog, battling to save its life.

— Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of defends

Verb

The Mercyenforcer grips the handle of his light in his bare hand to look into my other eye.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
New Orleans is facing an unusual weather combination as Tropical Storm Bertha moves along the northern Gulf Coast while dangerous heat grips the region.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Definition of grips

Verb

As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.

— Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

Definition of clenches

Verb

Nope, the Crimson Tide would most likely be on the outside looking in, while someone else from the SEC grabs their spot in the postseason.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The suspect runs inside, grabs rolls of lottery tickets, stuffs them into a bag and runs out.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

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clings

clings (to)

cling (to)

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

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Synonyms of clings (to)

verb

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