BELONGING Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

belonging 1 of 2

noun

bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ

Definition of belonging

as in intimacy

the state of being in a very personal or private relationship the warm welcome they received from the community gave them a sense of belonging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possession

belongings plural transportable items that one owns packed up all their belongings and moved across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

belonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belong

as in staying

to have or be in a usual or proper place your shoes belong in the closet, not in the middle of the living room where people will trip on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in pertaining

to be the property of a person or group of persons those textbooks belong to the school system and not to the students

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of belonging

Noun

This is the best way to give your new home a great foundation for working in the rest of your belongings, and will make your space feel inviting from your very first night. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 Shrestha was among mothers and children who began to return to their school on Sunday to find the kids' belongings and see what could be salvaged. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

Prevention can be small interactions that build a sense of belonging and hope long before a crisis occurs. — Jonathan Wright, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 The best memories of the last decade have been built around that sense of belonging. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging

Noun

Her gaze gives both scenes an inviting intimacy, like the audience has a front-row seat to Alice letting her guard down.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
The threat of the prison is that you’re targeted and unfree, packed into a queasy, pressurized intimacy with the most dangerous parts of yourself and others.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimacy

Noun

Geneva rolled up 466 yards and crossed the goal line on six of its 10 possessions.

— Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The 10-play scoring drive was possible in part because of a 17-yard pass from Hyppolite to Ty Hayes on fourth and 5 that kept the possession alive and moved them into the red zone.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of possession

Verb

Lugo is now staying at HHH recuperative care, a 100-bed interim housing program with on-duty medical staff.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
McVay says the Rams are still open to Aaron Donald returning, but the team is also staying focused on its preparations for the season.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of staying

Verb

However, a felony and four misdemeanor charges pertaining to domestic violence were dropped.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
But technically, there is no rule pertaining to a player going from an SEC school to the NFL, and then back to another conference program within the same year.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of pertaining

Noun

Getty One of the Hard Rock's staying powers comes from making that familiarity feel rooted in the destination.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
McDonough has an experienced resume, with plenty of familiarity leading a company involved in manufacturing.

— Jeff Marks,Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of familiarity

Verb

The antlers grew off to the sides of the deer’s head instead of going upward, which contributed to the wide inside spread and long beams.

— Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Shortly after exiting, Hawley complained of feeling lightheaded before slumping to the ground and going unconscious.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of going

Noun

Carrington in particular models what some have termed an ecofeminist approach, one that does not appropriate animals for the artist’s own self-revelation but instead develops kinship across species.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Many here say that, despite Iceland’s European roots, the country feels just as much kinship with the United States – if not more.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kinship

Browse Nearby Words

belonged

belonging

belongings

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Style

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of belonging

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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