CLING Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of cling next

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

unsticking

cling

2 of 2

verb

ˈkliŋ

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

There is no drug that could equal the intoxicating power in the cling of a white undershirt or the angle of a throat straining for a kiss. —

Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Every subtle shift in posture will help define whether Turkey recalibrates to new realities or clings to an outdated script. —

Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Elizabeth became increasingly paranoid over the course of her 45-year reign, fearing a coup by subjects who clung to their Catholicism and favored another claim to the throne. —

Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025 Read Next National Dog was ‘barely clinging to life’ along South Dakota road. —

Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cling

Noun

Compared to base coats, which create a smooth, protective layer for polish, nail primers are the secret to making gel, acrylics, or dip nails last longer by boosting adhesion and preventing lifting.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
Remarking on the turbulence of the current news-media environment, Scarborough urged an adhesion to journalistic integrity.

— Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024