CLING (TO) Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

cling (to)

verb

Definition of cling (to)

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

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

While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
This year, Argentina is defending its World Cup title, with Messi widely regarded as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

According to the researchers, toe-grip training may improve cognition by challenging you to consciously grip a part of the body that’s not routinely isolated or used.

— Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026
Heavy rain and flooding are breaking a heat wave that gripped New York City and much of the Northeast last week.

— Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of grip

Verb

Munro continued to stand by him, sacrificing her relationship with Andrea.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
While cementing his handprints and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre last June, Bardem thanked his wife and children for standing by him throughout his career.

— Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of stand by

Verb

The small, seemingly insignificant experience of controlling an automobile by clutching and levering its gears turned out to be deeply meaningful.

— Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
The 29-year-old had been clutching at a spot near his right oblique and even doubled over, clearly struggling, after forcing deuce.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of clutch

Verb

The White House Key Facts A rendering of the passport shared by the White House on Friday shows Trump presumably leaning over the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, alongside his signature and text from the Declaration of Independence.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Coley and the audience know this isn’t true, but Sonya’s clenched jaw and steely gaze don’t leave room for questions.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Definition of clench

Verb

The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
The handoff that seems minor may decide whether the whole plan holds.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Schieffelin, who played football last season because had used up his basketball eligibility, used his bulky frame to grab eight rebounds on an 11-point night.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of grab

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Browse Nearby Words

clings (to)

cling (to)

clingy

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Style

“Cling (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling%20%28to%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cling (to)

verb

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