cling to

VERB

cherish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admire adore appreciate care for cultivate defend embrace encourage enshrine entertain harbor hold dear honor love preserve revere safeguard treasure worship

STRONG

clasp coddle comfort cosset fancy fondle foster guard hug idolize like nourish nurse nurture pet prize reverence shelter shield support sustain value venerate

WEAK

cleave to dote on hold in high esteem

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abhor condemn despise destroy detest dishonor dislike disparage disregard disrespect hate hurt ignore neglect reject scorn

STRONG

deprive let go release starve turn away

WEAK

abandon denounce forsake not care renounce

VERB

clutch

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clasp clench fasten grasp grip snatch

STRONG

catch cherish clinch collar embrace glom grapple harbor hold hook keep nab nail seize snag take

WEAK

put the snare on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

let go loose loosen release

STRONG

abandon forsake free give liberate lose reject

WEAK

unfasten

VERB

harbor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

believe cherish maintain retain

STRONG

consider entertain hold imagine regard

WEAK

brood over

Antonyms

STRONG

disbelieve disregard forget ignore neglect reject

VERB

retain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absorb contain enjoy have hold keep maintain own possess preserve recognize

STRONG

clutch detain grasp husband memorize mind recall recollect remember reminisce reserve restrain retrospect save withhold

WEAK

bear in mind hand onto hold fast keep in mind keep possession put away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon desert disperse dispossess exclude ignore lack let go lose miss misunderstand need neglect not have release want

STRONG

disregard forget free liberate waste

WEAK

fire pass up spend

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.

Consider George Washington, whose humility and repeated decisions to relinquish power rather than cling to it, became the young republic’s most imperative precedent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

This low-hire, low-fire dynamic and lengthy job hunts have spooked many workers, who are now opting to cling to their jobs instead of making a jump.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Rather than fleeing from such a leader, followers cling to him for salvation and protection.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

It has taken 118 days but Tottenham finally have a win and hope to cling to.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

He tried to cling to the cuff of Geels’ trousers.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

cling to

Example Sentences

Related Words