as in swinging
to place on an elevated point without support from below
he dangled the string in front of the cat, hoping that it was in the mood for play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dangling
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Makar put Colorado ahead in the second, dangling just inside the blue line and firing a brilliant wrist shot through traffic.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Huskies are always a dangling goalpost away from a jump to save football.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
For accessories, Hathaway wore a set of pink gold Bulgari jewels, including a sparkly wrap bracelet, dangling earrings, and a red cocktail ring, according to InStyle.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
While a dangling tomato or deepening red pepper provides visible assurance that something edible is on its way, the potato lies beneath the ground, requiring water, weeding, and a patient hand.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
Preservationists, the town and the property owner appear to have been at a stalemate since 2018, and walls are now covered in invasive vines, windows are broken out, gutters are dangling and paint has peeled off windowsills.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
The trailer features dramatic scenes of people dangling from cliffs and an explosive avalanche.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Without repairing the damage, Garcia then smacked his driver against a wooden bench holding a water cooler, and the head of the club was left dangling from the shaft.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
While the design here is emphatically traditional, a dose of modern whimsy comes through with a dangling, multi-floor chandelier loosely inspired by jellyfish.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026
Cernan, the junior pilot, was outside, dangling—actually spinning, tumbling, and flailing—at the end of a long umbilical cord, completely unable to control his movements.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
Naru aside, Killer of Killers and Badlands have left a few dangling story threads.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Mother Nature must have designed fuchsias to flow from hanging baskets, with pendulous bicolor blooms dangling their ruffled skirts for hummingbirds to find.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Makar put Colorado ahead in the second, dangling just inside the blue line and firing a brilliant wrist shot through traffic.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Huskies are always a dangling goalpost away from a jump to save football.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
For accessories, Hathaway wore a set of pink gold Bulgari jewels, including a sparkly wrap bracelet, dangling earrings, and a red cocktail ring, according to InStyle.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
While a dangling tomato or deepening red pepper provides visible assurance that something edible is on its way, the potato lies beneath the ground, requiring water, weeding, and a patient hand.
—Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
Preservationists, the town and the property owner appear to have been at a stalemate since 2018, and walls are now covered in invasive vines, windows are broken out, gutters are dangling and paint has peeled off windowsills.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
The trailer features dramatic scenes of people dangling from cliffs and an explosive avalanche.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Without repairing the damage, Garcia then smacked his driver against a wooden bench holding a water cooler, and the head of the club was left dangling from the shaft.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangling
hanging
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dangling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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