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

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

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 adhere Earlier versions adhered more closely to the facts of what happened to Pam. — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, rolling between your palms so that sugar adheres. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 17 July 2026 These changes were guided by a legal doctrine known as cy pres, which requires that any changes to a foundation’s mission have to adhere as closely as possible to the donor’s original intent. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 For any overlapping Pipeliner 5000 to adhere, the underlying layer would need to still be wet or, if not, steps would need to be taken to prepare the surface. — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for adhere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhere

Verb

Please pass some of that energy to the Braves, who are clinging to a thin divisional lead weeks before the postseason.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Some of them feel goopy, while others cling onto my pores for dear life.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of cling

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à deux

adhere

adhered

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“Adhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhere. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of adhere

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Synonyms of adhere

verb

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Phrases Containing adhere

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Cite this Entry

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