to cling to

Examples

• All

• The small child was scared during the storm and clung to his mother for comfort.

• He just clung to me.

  His Stretch of Texas Ground (2021)

• Cling to me with all your might.

  My Brother's Wedding (1983)

• They clung to each other in the face of a vicious world, and, in so doing, gave birth to love itself.

  Die in a Gunfight (2021)

• The remaining survivors floated downriver clinging to any debris they could find.

  Remember the Sultana (2015)

• Even within the island society, the fishermen clung to local organizations and their activities waxed and waned.

  Academic text (1996)

• Only a few old-fashioned communities like Kescogee still cling to the outmoded practice of deep burial.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Climbing the mountain, my heart hammers as I cling to a wooden railing recently installed by villagers.

  Academic text (2009)

• As adults lashed out at each other, children trembled, cried, and clung to skirts and pant legs.

  Academic text (2008)

• After the accident, she clung to the railing to steady herself as she tried to regain her balance.

Synonyms

H

to hang

vsto cling to

∞ 2.7

To hold on tightly so you do not let go

is more immediate and emotionally driven rather than simply tenacious

H

to hug

vsto cling to

336 1.0

To hold someone tightly in your arms to show care

is similar but can be driven more by fear or need than affection

C

to cling

vsto cling to

240 2.1

To hold on tightly to someone or something and not let go

is more about tight physical grip often driven by emotion or need

H

to hold onto

vsto cling to

180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

is more about staying emotionally close rather than preventing loss

H

to hold on

vsto cling to

141 2.0

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

is more about emotional need or affection, not only safety

C

to clutch

vsto cling to

118 3.4

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

is steadier and more continuous rather than a sudden tight grasp

G

to grip

vsto cling to

85 1.3

To hold something or someone tightly, often to keep them safe

is less forceful and more likely driven by fear or affection

S

to squeeze

vsto cling to

72 1.0

To hold someone tightly in your arms to show affection

is like this but often implies clinging from anxiety or need

H

to hold tight

vsto cling to

• Informal

42 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

is similar but often shows clinging because of fear or need

S

to stick to

vsto cling to

41 1.8

Stay attached to a surface

is about close physical or emotional contact rather than sticking to surfaces

C

to clasp

vsto cling to

33 2.6

To hold a person or thing tightly with your hands

is usually more emotional or prolonged than a simple secure grip

T

to take hold of

vsto cling to

21 3.1

Grab something or someone with your hands

is less deliberate and more about clinging out of need or fear

H

to hold fast

vsto cling to

11 5.5

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

is more bodily and emotional, not mainly about commitment or ideas

C

to cleave

vsto cling to

• Literature

7 7.5

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

is more physical and immediate, often showing fear or need

C

to clinch

vsto cling to

6 4.8

To hold someone tightly, for example in a fight or a hug

is more about clinging for emotional support rather than competitive control

H

to hold close

vsto cling to

1 1.4

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

is broader, covering tight contact for many reasons not only comfort

L

to latch on

vsto cling to

3.8

To hold on to something so it stays attached

is more physical and often driven by strong emotion or need

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

L

to let go

∞ 1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

How Tightly

to cling to

61 3.4

to hold on

141 2.0

to hold

∞ 1.0

to touch

∞ 1.0

to brush against

15 3.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology