to cling
Third Person
clings
Present Participle
clinging
Past Tense
clung
Past Participle
clung
1
to tightly hold on to someone or something
transitive
- She clung to the safety railing as she looked down from the balcony.
- The cat clung to the tree branch, reluctant to come down.
- In the storm, the ship's crew clung to the rails to avoid being swept away.
- The wet puppy clung to its owner's lap for warmth and security.
Synonyms:
2
to grip or hold onto something tightly, making it difficult to separate or detach
transitive
- The wet clothes clung to her body, making her feel uncomfortable and chilled.
- The ivy clung to the side of the building, adding a touch of greenery to the brick facade.
- The plastic wrap clung tightly to the bowl, ensuring a secure seal to keep the food fresh.
- The memories of their time together clung to her mind, making it hard for her to move on.
3
to rely heavily on another person for support, validation, or a sense of security
transitive
- After the breakup, she clung to her best friend, relying on them for emotional stability.
- He clung to his partner, constantly seeking validation and reassurance of their love.
- The employee clung to their supervisor, constantly seeking guidance and approval for every decision.
- She clung to her therapist, relying on their sessions as the primary source of emotional support.