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Synonyms

clung

American  
[kluhng] / klʌŋ /

verb

  1. simple past tense and past participle of cling.

clung British  
/ klʌŋ /

verb

  1. the past tense and past participle of cling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

On the morning after Europe clung on to victory, Donald looked exhausted when he sat down for a BBC Sport interview.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The almost overly seasoned bits that clung stubbornly to the metal.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

USC clung to a one-point lead as freshman Alijah Arenas stepped back for a jumper that clanged away.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

The 76ers management countered with “We Owe You One”—a motto that clung to the team like body odor for the next five seasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

He offered Abby his arm and she clung to it.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.