ADHERE Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'adhere' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adhere are cleave , cling , cohere , and stick . While all these words mean "to become closely attached," adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together. // antibodies adhering to a virus

Q: In what contexts can 'cleave' take the place of 'adhere'?

The synonyms cleave and adhere are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave stresses strength of attachment. // the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Q: When might 'cling' be a better fit than 'adhere'?

In some situations, the words cling and adhere are roughly equivalent. However, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils. // clinging to a capsized boat

Q: When is 'cohere' a more appropriate choice than 'adhere'?

While in some cases nearly identical to adhere , cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass. // eggs will make the mixture cohere

Q: When can 'stick' be used instead of 'adhere'?

The words stick and adhere can be used in similar contexts, but stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together. // couldn't get the label to stick

adhere

verb

ad-ˈhir

Definition of adhere next

as in to cling

to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion everyone started calling her "Cookie" when she was little and the name adhered

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How does the verb adhere contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adhere are cleave, cling, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

In what contexts can cleave take the place of adhere?

The synonyms cleave and adhere are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When might cling be a better fit than adhere?

In some situations, the words cling and adhere are roughly equivalent. However, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When is cohere a more appropriate choice than adhere?

While in some cases nearly identical to adhere, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

When can stick be used instead of adhere?

The words stick and adhere can be used in similar contexts, but stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

Examples 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 adhere One philosophy adheres strictly to the exact words written in 1787 and since. —

Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2024 Conversely, Path of Exile adhered more closely to that aesthetic, while introducing its own world and lore. —

Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024 This traditionalist vision of the Dad TV show is rooted in the concept of a specific viewer (an actual dad) and revolves around a core set of values to which that viewership adheres. —

Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024 The conjunction within that nauseating offer discloses the conservative thinking that adheres these two cat controversies. —

Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adhere