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
Relevance
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)
Verb
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State and federal investigators returned Tuesday to a North Texas home at the center of the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy, digging up parts of the backyard as authorities pursue new leads in a case that has gripped the community for years.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 May 2026 -
April’s inflation rate means prices are now rising faster than wages for the first time since 2023, which could aggravate the affordability crisis that has already been gripping consumers.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Knives are clutched, teeth are clenched, and a desperate Russian ex-pat yells loud enough for their long-dead ancestors to hear all the way back in the motherland.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
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Featuring live event faceoffs, an all-new batch of celebrity competitors and surprise guests, each episode delivers high-energy showdowns where skill, creativity, and clutch performance take center stage.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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While not everyone experiences such dramatic effects, experts say stress, clenching and even past trauma can contribute to TMJ issues.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
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On April 23, LeCroy remembered, Crews caught a sinking liner, held his glove in the air, clenched his fist and screamed into his glove.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The mom of two later agreed with and responded to other followers who defended her in the comments.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
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The defending champions, who were ominously close to the relegation zone, countered on City for fun in a 4-2 victory.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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On the river, two 10-metre canoes are strapped together, holding a truck and powered by a single outboard motor.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Trump has held a dozen meetings his Cabinet so far in his second term, but Wednesday was supposed to be his first at Camp David, a compound built in 1938 that past presidents have turned to engage in diplomacy with foreign leaders.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The seven-time world champion passed Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in the closing laps to grab second place and secure his 204th career podium finish.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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Sophia said the event was just as exciting and fun as last year for her and her son — who, while searching for planes in the sky, excitedly grabbed her face and reminded her that the watermelons and lemonade were just as amazing as the planes.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Aleksi was with a group of young men, standing by some flower sellers, when Defne and Mete stepped off the ferry.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
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Adalah’s international advocacy coordinator Miriam Azem stood by the allegations.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
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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 28 May. 2026.
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