Cling — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Related Entry: Cling (to) (verb)

Cling (to) is a different word from Cling. The synonyms below are for cling (to), not for cling.

1. to give steadfast support to

   "continued to cling to the old ideas of child rearing long after they had gone out of fashion"

   similar: adhere (to), hew (to), keep (to), stand by, stick (to or with), abide by, hold to, live up to
   related: cleave (to), advocate, back, champion, confirm, defend, endorse, espouse, support, uphold, accept, adopt, cherish, cultivate, embrace, follow, foster, heed, backstop, bolster, boost, buttress, enforce, reinforce
   opposite: defect (from)
   near: abandon, abnegate, desert, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender, abjure, recall, recant, reconsider, renege, renounce, retract, revoke, take back, unsay, withdraw, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute, contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, repudiate, back down, back off, backtrack

2. to have or keep in one's hands

   "clung to a pole in the subway car to keep from falling as it lurched along"

   similar: clench, clutch, grip, hold, hang on to, hold on to
   related: bear, carry, bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap, feel, finger, handle, paw, clasp, embrace, grasp, hug, cradle
   near: drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand, cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield