Synonyms for clingy
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Needy — attached to, or possessive of someone, usually a significant other
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Attached to, or possessive of someone, usually a significant other.
a clingy ex-girlfriend who won't stop calling
Related words
- Word family
- clinginess
Example sentences
- needy The socially needy receive an additional allowance.
- clinging We are still clinging to the dreams of our youth.
- snug I tucked her into bed, as snug as a bug in a rug.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| clingy | rising | |
| needy | falling | |
| overattached | steady | |
| clinging | rising | |
| snug | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- snug1
- 5 letters
- needy2
- 8 letters
- clinging2, adhesive3
- 12 letters
- overattached
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (needy2 = 2 syllables).