cloy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cloy different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cloy are glut, gorge, pall, sate, satiate, and surfeit. While all these words mean "to fill to repletion," cloy stresses the disgust or boredom resulting from such surfeiting.

sentimental pictures that cloy after a while

When is glut a more appropriate choice than cloy?

The synonyms glut and cloy are sometimes interchangeable, but glut implies excess in feeding or supplying.

a market glutted with diet books

When could gorge be used to replace cloy?

In some situations, the words gorge and cloy are roughly equivalent. However, gorge suggests glutting to the point of bursting or choking.

gorged themselves with chocolate

When would pall be a good substitute for cloy?

While the synonyms pall and cloy are close in meaning, pall emphasizes the loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite.

a life of leisure eventually begins to pall

How do satiate and sate relate to one another, in the sense of cloy?

Both satiate and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest or desire.

years of globe-trotting had satiated their interest in travel
readers were sated with sensationalistic stories

When is it sensible to use surfeit instead of cloy?

The meanings of surfeit and cloy largely overlap; however, surfeit implies a nauseating repletion.

surfeited themselves with junk food

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 cloy Lengua gyutan, or beef tongue, soaked in a creamy mushroom gravy, seemed destined to cloy but turned out to be smooth, balanced, and savory. Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 But before such moments can cloy, Arbery usefully complicates his case. New York Times, 22 June 2022 That sweetness can cloy if it’s not suitably chilled and diluted, which is why almost everyone chooses to make it on the rocks. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2021 The museum’s sacredness to many, including me, can cloy a little. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for cloy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloy
Verb
  • Understanding The Periphery Advantage In many metropolitan areas, central districts are becoming increasingly saturated and expensive.
    Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Spring fashion is often saturated with flowy, floral dresses, breezy linens, and the art of mixing and matching textures, cuts, and patterns.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The surfeit of interested workers has not alleviated the labor shortage.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Starting the hiring process doesn’t alleviate their workload in the interim.
    Nolan Hout, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Luggage storage services offer a way to lighten your load, and to protect your valuables with security guarantees.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • British royals expert Hilary Fordwich stressed to Fox News Digital that William’s intention is to help lighten his father’s workload as the monarch continues his treatments while taking on duties at the same time.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Will the nightmarish memory of being gratified by his kid brother be enough to make Saxon snap and start shooting everyone in sight?
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Why catharsis doesn’t work Kicking the crap out of a punching bag or unleashing a rant might feel gratifying in the moment.
    Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cloy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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