CLUNG (TO) Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

clung (to)

verb

Definition of clung (to)

past tense of cling (to)

as in kept (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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clenched

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 clung (to)

Verb

The government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, however, has defended the response of rescue teams.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
City officials defended the report as a routine effort to inform council members about infrastructure investments.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defended

Verb

Parents rushing to a reunification center, hearts clenched with the hope of finding their children among the survivors.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
All of the grandeur and energy of Pollock’s looping brambles and cords are clenched in Krasner’s versions.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of clenched

Verb

In a first round that portended a lengthy and bloody fight, the Dodgers clutched to a 1-0 lead after three innings with ace Tarik Skubal on the mound and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski headed for the showers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
While in front of a judge, Siders, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kept shielding her stomach and clutched her belly, The Daily Mail reported.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of clutched

Verb

The case has gripped Kenya since the discovery of the mass graves.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The Apology, written by Joe Murtagh (Say Nothing), follows Evelyn (Paltrow) and Caleb Amspoker whose son was murdered 18 years ago in a cold case that gripped the nation.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of gripped

Verb

The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.

— Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.

— Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025

Definition of held

Verb

Nantz tried to knock the ball from Watt, but hit his wrist hard on the football and immediately grabbed his hand.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
The former center grabbed headlines in March for commenting on a Rangers loss that coincided with the team’s Pride Night celebration.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbed

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clung

clung (to)

clunk

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Style

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

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Synonyms of clung (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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