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View synonyms for

dangle

[ dang-guhl ]

verb (used without object)

dangled, dangling.
  1. to hang loosely, especially with a jerking or swaying motion:

    The rope dangled in the breeze.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. to hang around or follow a person, as if seeking favor or attention.
  3. Grammar. to occur as a modifier without a head or as a participle without an implied subject, as leaving the tunnel in The daylight was blinding, leaving the tunnel.


verb (used with object)

dangled, dangling.
  1. to cause to dangle; hold or carry swaying loosely.
  2. to offer as an inducement.

noun

  1. the act of dangling.
  2. something that dangles.

dangle

/ ˈæŋɡə /

verb

  1. to hang or cause to hang freely

    his legs dangled over the wall

  2. tr to display as an enticement

    the hope of a legacy was dangled before her

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of dangling or something that dangles
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ岹Բ, noun
  • ˈ岹ԲԲ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • 岹g noun
  • 岹gԲ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dangle1

1580–90; expressive word akin to Norwegian, Swedish dangla, Danish dangle dangle
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dangle1

C16: perhaps from Danish dangle, probably of imitative origin
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. keep someone dangling, to keep someone in a state of uncertainty.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Since taking office in January, Trump has dangled the prospect of tariffs on Mexican imports to win cooperation on issues including immigration and security.

From

Trump dangled a possible trade deal that might exempt the UK from some of the costs from tariffs during the pair's chummy White House press conference in February.

From

He dug in, fought his trial at every step, and continued to dangle the same unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that he used to justify his military takeover.

From

Donald Trump might like to dangle the promise of third presidential term but Speaker Mike Johnson isn't holding his breath.

From

Cushioned chairs once used for official functions stand covered with dust, a few paintings still hang on the walls, ragged chandeliers dangle from the ceilings.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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