adhere

verb

ad-ˈhir How to pronounce adhere (audio)
Definition of adherenext
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 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 Unlike in Cutud, participants are mostly female faith healers adhering not to vows but to mystic trances and possession. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026 Further, guests will adhere by a no-phones policy, an insider tells PEOPLE. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for adhere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhere
  1. cling
  2. stick
Verb
  • Outside, women trudge past in a rainbow of saris that cling to their fragile frames, seared by the punishing sun.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • One man desperately clung to a light pole in Cambridge City as muddy, brown water swirled around him, before he was eventually rescued.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cling
Verb
  • Even after losing an arm, the old warrior manages to stick the Hightower lord, just in time to have Ulf and Silverwing appear above them.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Then the pandemic hit, and Piker was stuck in his one-bedroom apartment, depressed and alone.
    — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of stick

Phrases Containing adhere

Browse Nearby Words

à deux
adhere
adhered
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Cite this Entry

“Adhere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhere. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adhere

Nglish: Translation of adhere for Spanish Speakers

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