to cling

Examples

• All

• The waves are rough enough that Judy clings to his shoulder, though he asked her not to.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Some experts maintain that the rebels still cling to their old dream of toppling the government.

  Academic text (1999)

• So it can really like cling on to your eyes.

• I always think it's good to make family proud, and have something to cling onto in days like those.

  Piggy (2012)

• Cling to me with all your might.

  My Brother's Wedding (1983)

• Food odors cling to clothing.

  Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

• For now, Brazil appears to be clinging to its hard-won stability.

  Academic text (2012)

• The crisp white cloth flared and clung to her in the right places.

  Fiction book (1990)

• But I, and a small minority of my compatriots, still cling to the much-favored martinis of our younger days.

  Academic text (2011)

• Isabella, however, clung to her father, her impossibly big brown eyes even impossibly bigger.

  Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

H

to hang

vsto cling

∞ 2.7

To hold on tightly so you do not let go

is like this but also describes milder emotional attachment

S

to stick

vsto cling

769 1.0

To attach something to a surface or push it into with a point

is more about close holding and not about piercing or fixing

S

to stick with

vsto cling

341 3.6

Keep doing or supporting something even when it is difficult

focuses on close holding or sticking rather than ongoing support

H

to hold onto

vsto cling

180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

also covers emotional clinging, not only physical gripping

H

to hold on

vsto cling

141 2.0

To keep a strong grip on something so it does not fall

adds emotional sticking as well as physical holding

C

to clutch

vsto cling

118 3.4

To hold something tightly with the hands or because of strong feeling

is steadier and can be either physical or emotional

C

to cling to

vsto cling

61 3.4

To hold tightly to someone or something because of fear, need, affection

is broader, covering both physical and emotional close attachment

G

to grip

vsto cling

50 6.0

To hold someone's attention or emotions strongly

is more physical or relational rather than only emotional capture

H

to hold tight

vsto cling

• Informal

42 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

is similar but includes softer emotional attachment too

S

to stick to

vsto cling

41 1.8

Stay attached to a surface

adds emotional and interpersonal sticking beyond surfaces

C

to clasp

vsto cling

33 2.6

To hold a person or thing tightly with your hands

is broader, applying also to close emotional holding

A

to adhere

vsto cling

17 5.2

To stick firmly to a surface such as glass or plastic

also covers holding to people or feelings, not only surfaces

H

to hold fast

vsto cling

11 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

focuses more on physical or emotional close holding

C

to cleave

vsto cling

• Literature

7 7.5

To stay very close to someone or something, often for support

is similar but can be either momentary or ongoing

H

to hold close

vsto cling

1 1.4

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

covers similar closeness but also nonphysical sticking

L

to latch on

vsto cling

3.8

To hold on to something so it stays attached

is wider, including slow or emotional forms of attachment

B

to barnacle

vsto cling

• Informal

8.6

To stay close to a person or group to get an advantage

is neutral, describing close holding without opportunism

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

D

to detach

16 3.9

To take something off from what it is connected to

Phrasal Verbs

C

to cling to

111 3.3

To hold tightly to something or keep believing something strongly in hard times

C

to cling to

61 3.4

To hold tightly to someone or something because of fear, need, affection

Compounds

C

cling film

• UK

2.1

A thin clear plastic sheet that sticks to bowls and wraps food to keep it fresh

How Tightly

to cling

240 2.1

to grasp

60 1.1

to hold

∞ 1.0

to touch

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology