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.

People who cling to their initial belief in poker get into serious trouble.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Even after losing three games by an average of 19.6 points per game, the Lakers still cling to some hope.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

I don’t generally cling to old beliefs, I tend to admire those who have dissented against prevailing orthodoxies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

At least Isak's return gave the Reds something to cling to on an otherwise night to forget.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I can’t cling to my people because my mother—my main person —is part of the terrible thing happening.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

cling to

Example Sentences

Related Words