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 But look out for An Irish Goodbye, the only English-language nominee, which is just cloying enough to win. — Vulture, 10 Mar. 2023 The acidity is well balanced with the sweetness so as not to be cloying at all. — Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for cloy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloy

Verb

Mid-range uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) can suppress, distract, saturate, and expose Russian air defenses.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Forbes says the lowest dose shown to saturate muscles is 3 grams per day.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 29 June 2026

Definition of saturate

Verb

The shipments meant Adnoc was able to take greater advantage of surging oil prices earlier in the war, and helped alleviate the impact of the broader closure of the strait on global supplies.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
This is a critical time in history to create sustainable prevention and optimization, not simply alleviate symptoms.

— Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Like a true pal, a big pot of it in my refrigerator lightens my load, providing a nourishing meal my whole family loves at a moment’s notice.

— Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
Jupiter enters your 6th House of Work and Health, encouraging kinder routines that improve well-being and lighten daily tasks.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026

Definition of lighten

Verb

From the gratifying casual exchanges being experienced by anyone going to Fan Fest, getting on the KC Streetcar, happening upon visitors in restaurants or attending satellite festivities.

— Vahe Gregorian July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Instead, Price opts for slow builds and gratifying payoffs, creating a tension that sustains the momentum of the record without getting lost in the details.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of gratify

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“Cloy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cloy

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