belonging 1 of 2

Definition of belongingnext

belonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of belong
1
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

2
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
Pride month may be ending, but for many LGBTIQ youth in Baltimore, the need for acceptance and belonging doesn't end on June 30. Crystal McQuay, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Nickie and PatchesDella Varga Nickie’s belongings were left behind at a house in DeFuniak Springs in the Florida Panhandle. Meghan O'Brien, NBC news, 29 June 2026
Verb
Now a counselor-in-training, Carr is helping create that same sense of belonging for the campers who come after him. Conor McGill, CBS News, 27 June 2026 The series speaks to a generation that is questioning its identity and searching for belonging. John Hopewell, Variety, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for belonging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belonging
Noun
  • The transition through the seasons, conveyed through sound and gestures, and the direct interaction between models and guests created a rare sense of intimacy — something that feels increasingly relevant today.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
  • There is an intimacy, of course, with these two characters.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Teammate Jordan Henderson, now at his fourth World Cup, recalled Kane scoring twice in the opener against Croatia to match Lineker and mistakenly thought this mark was already in Kane’s sole possession.
    Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • The Three Lions are maintaining a high press but can't keep possession in the attacking third.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Tops on that list is the late Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir — who died in January at 78 — as a model for a band staying fearless and uncompromising.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Read more about the heat dome and tips on staying cool in this visual explainer.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Evidence pertaining to the Fire Department’s response was not permitted at the trial.
    Sierra Van Der Brug, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
  • That governing body doesn’t have an official policy pertaining to matters of climate.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Whatever people do with it, retirement should allow continuing some elements of old patterns in new forms, since continuity and familiarity matter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
  • In positions that require process discipline, communication skills, customer interaction, or familiarity with internal systems, that instability can affect performance in ways that are not always immediately visible.
    William Jones, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Highlight reels are dominated by exceptional athletes doing exceptional things.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Welcome back to Kick It, the AJC’s newsletter for all things World Cup.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • But gooey emotions are still not going to stop Navy vet Everett from going action-hero, as seen in the finale trailer.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • For instance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been politically weakened by the Iran war’s major objectives going unfulfilled.
    Will Weissert, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Raise the Future offers Family Support Services for foster, kinship and adoptive families.
    Libby Smith, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Two New Yorkers from the boroughs who shared the kinship of a similar background.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belonging. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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