clung to
Refused letting go
Clung to is the past tense of cling to, meaning to hold onto something tightly or refuse to let go.
The phrase applies both physically and figuratively: someone might have clung to the railing during an earthquake, or clung to outdated beliefs despite evidence against them.
The figurative sense often suggests desperation or stubbornness—a person clung to hope when circumstances looked bleak, or clung to power long after losing popular support.
- lovedFelt strong affection for
- grippedHeld with pressure
- heldKept in grasp
- graspedClutched or understood
- believedAccepted as true
false hope · cherished · depended · anchored · fastened · clamped · treasured · trusted · latched · hung on · adhered · stuck · cleaved · embraced · valued · bonded · maintained · followed