Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

clingy

[kling-ee] / ˈklɪŋ i /
ADJECTIVE
adhesive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gummy sticky
STRONG
adherent holding hugging pasty
WEAK
adhering agglutinant attaching clinging gelatinous glutinous gooey gummed mucilaginous resinous tenacious viscid viscous waxy
Antonyms
WEAK
inadhesive loose open separated unattachable
ADJECTIVE
tenacious
Synonyms
STRONG
retentive
WEAK
adhesive clinging fast firm fixed glutinous gummy inseparable mucilaginous resisting secure set tacky tight viscid viscose viscous waxy
Antonyms
WEAK
loose slack surrendering unattached weak yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile, Brittany Wicker says yes to Devonta Anderson soon after they begin dating, but when he discovers she said yes to her wedding dress before they met, he finds that scary and clingy.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

People are getting clingy with their chatbots—and it’s giving friends and family pause.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

In the middle are two young society beauties wearing the new clingy fashions with uncaricatured style, but amongst the mixed-sex groups that mill around them are gratuitously padded older women.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Charles says there is a "stark difference" between their sons and that Emaan is a lot more clingy.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025

“It means, I never made any promises to Audrey. She got clingy and possessive.”

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Vocabulary lists containing clingy

-y

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!