cling 1 of 2

as in adhesion
a physical sticking to as if by glue for certain types of materials that plastic wrap has very little cling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cling

2 of 2

verb

as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion a dozen magnets clinging to the refrigerator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cling contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cling are adhere, cleave, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When can adhere be used instead of cling?

The words adhere and cling can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

In what contexts can cleave take the place of cling?

While in some cases nearly identical to cling, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When could cohere be used to replace cling?

While the synonyms cohere and cling are close in meaning, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cling?

In some situations, the words stick and cling are roughly equivalent. However, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

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 cling
Noun
Beneath the ocean’s surface, abalone cling to the seabed with a strong, foot-like appendage and dwell in radiant shells to stay safe from predators. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 And how do the weeds of America’s past cling to its present and future? Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
Timothy Ratliff learned to cling to family, but his family is awful, especially since Piper, who started the season as the moral Ratliff, learned she can’t be bothered to find enlightenment if enlightenment doesn’t have better organic catering. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025 After birth, the baby will cling to the mother’s fur and make its way to her chest to be cleaned. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling
Noun
  • These products might restore the paint's adhesion properties.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The most common cause of adhesions in women is endometriosis.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To avoid these potentially destabilizing effects, military leaders will need to explain what the country stands to lose if the military devotes excess time, resources, and attention to domestic operations and fails to adhere carefully to the laws of war.
    Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The faulty cant rails appear to stem from inadequate glue used to adhere the components to the vehicle frame, which allegedly weakens after exposure to freezing temperatures.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The new monitor’s report, made public Friday, heaped praise on the department’s consent decree adherence between July 1 – Dec. 31, 2024.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Just as political leaders are incentivized to prioritize performance over governance, business leaders must be wary of systems that reward visibility, short-term wins, or rigid adherence to outdated strategies.
    Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But whether the trial's May 5 start date will stick is another story.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Moving Rafaela clears room for Anthony to stick in the lineup.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This includes collaborative problem-solving, social bonding, mentoring, and creative exploration.
    Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Contagious yawning, common in humans and other social animals, is thought to be linked to social bonding, empathy, and group coordination—but the evolutionary driver behind contagious peeing remains unclear.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cling. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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