cling
verb (used without object)
to adhere closely; stick to.
were clinging
-
past progressiveof cling.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Desperate families of missing foreigners were clinging to hope as they combed hospitals and morgues in search of clues, a week after catastrophic floods tore through Nepal's Himalayan border region.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Scotland were clinging on for much of the 1-0 victory over Haiti and many feared that a single-goal win would potentially be damaging for their hopes of progression.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
In a game the Dodgers would go on to win 8-6 over the Pirates, they were clinging to a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning against the Pirates on Thursday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
The Ducks were clinging to a one-goal lead late in the third before putting it away with a pair of empty-net goals, including Vatrano’s at 18:41.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 16, 2023
Their clothes were torn and snagged by briars, burrs were clinging to them.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
