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

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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

Stellantis rose 6% after the automaker stood by its guidance for the year despite heavy costs related to its turnaround bid.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
The title track showcases piano while Bowen laments the friends and family who stood by him throughout his career.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of stood by

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

In the 1980s Americans became gripped with satanic panic, the fear that Satan worshippers were committing heinous crimes against children.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
In simulated procedures involving artificial tissue, blood vessels, and an appendix model, the skin illuminated the areas being gripped, with the brightness and size of the glowing regions changing as the instrument applied more or less force.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 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

And when Buzelis grabbed that pass out of the air, double-clutching on his way to a dunk, the Bulls could hear for a moment the tune of a new future for this team.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Woodman also alleged that Andreatta grabbed Pagano’s hand and wrist.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbed

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clung

clung (to)

clunk

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“Clung (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clung%20%28to%29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of clung (to)

verb

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