CLOY Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cloy' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cloy are glut , gorge , pall , sate , satiate , and surfeit . While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting. // sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

Q: When is 'glut' a more appropriate choice than 'cloy'?

The synonyms glut and cloy are sometimes interchangeable, but glut implies excess in feeding or supplying. // a market glutted with diet books

Q: When could 'gorge' be used to replace 'cloy'?

In some situations, the words gorge and cloy are roughly equivalent. However, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking. // gorged themselves with chocolate

Q: When would 'pall' be a good substitute for 'cloy'?

While the synonyms pall and cloy are close in meaning, pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite. // a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

Q: How do 'satiate' and 'sate' relate to one another, in the sense of 'cloy'?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire. // years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel // readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'surfeit' instead of 'cloy'?

The meanings of surfeit and cloy largely overlap; however, surfeit implies a nauseating repletion. // surfeited themselves with junk food

cloy

verb

Definition of cloy

as in to saturate

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How is the word cloy different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cloy are glut, gorge, pall, sate, satiate, and surfeit. While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

When is glut a more appropriate choice than cloy?

The synonyms glut and cloy are sometimes interchangeable, but glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

When could gorge be used to replace cloy?

In some situations, the words gorge and cloy are roughly equivalent. However, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

When would pall be a good substitute for cloy?

While the synonyms pall and cloy are close in meaning, pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

How do satiate and sate relate to one another, in the sense of cloy?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel

readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

When is it sensible to use surfeit instead of cloy?

The meanings of surfeit and cloy largely overlap; however, surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

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 cloy Lengua gyutan, or beef tongue, soaked in a creamy mushroom gravy, seemed destined to cloy but turned out to be smooth, balanced, and savory. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 But before such moments can cloy, Arbery usefully complicates his case. — New York Times, 22 June 2022 That sweetness can cloy if it’s not suitably chilled and diluted, which is why almost everyone chooses to make it on the rocks. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2021 The museum’s sacredness to many, including me, can cloy a little. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for cloy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloy

Verb

The initial three rounds were not very heavy but saturated the soil and left the area much more prone to dangerous flash flooding once the fourth round of torrential rain moved through.

— Trevor Ault, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
By then, police said the Nissan was wanted in connection with felony evading, and officers saturated the area in an effort to locate it.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of saturate

Verb

He was appointed as a special advisor for water infrastructure after last year’s rupture and prepared a report for the government on improvements to alleviate the island’s water problems.

— Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
But the Cloaca Maxima was primarily designed to drain marshland and alleviate flooding.

— Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Be sure to dab stains—don’t rub or press with force—with cool water, which can lighten most spots and remove others altogether.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
While speaking with the Toronto Star, Stephanie also noted how the two nurses have helped lighten what has sometimes been a challenging experience for her daughters.

— Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of lighten

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

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Synonyms of cloy

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