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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Yet period style still adheres, the timbres pungent rather than plush. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 Resting the shrimp before frying gives the breading the chance to adhere. Kia Damon, Southern Living, 2 June 2025 To adhere it onto the overflow drain, run warm water against the suction cup side and press it firmly against the tub. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2025 Some agencies adhere closely to the reviewers’ numeric scores – like a grade – when making these decisions. Kelly S. Mix, The Conversation, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for adhere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhere
Verb
  • There was an old spiderweb still clinging to the railing by her front door.
    Mona Awad, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • Third-party managers clinging to the status quo risk losing relevance as their peers deliver better results with fewer resources.
    Tyler Christiansen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • One of those sticking points has been a mammoth bond issue that is being pitched to voters in the November election.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
  • Thompson will need to prove the most in this area to stick, as well.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhere. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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