cling to

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cling, to.

Similar
hold closehold tightclutch
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Meanings

verbcling to (third-person singular simple present clings to, present participle clinging to, simple past and past participle clung to)

present singular third person clings to · participle present clinging to · participle past clung to · past clung to

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cling, to.
  2. broadlyTo have an intense emotional dependency on (someone).
  3. broadlyfigurativelyTo remain by (someone's) side; to refuse to leave the company of.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbhold firmly, usually with one's hands

Similar
hold closehold tightclutch
Broader
hold
Also see
adoreclutchhold tightlovethink much of

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Esperanto alkroĉiĝi
  • alkroĉiĝiother than figuratively
Cite this entry
APA

cling to. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cling%20to

MLA

“cling to.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cling%20to. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cling to,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cling%20to.

Source: cling to on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.