cleave

verb

ˈklēv How to pronounce cleave (audio)
Definition of cleavenext
as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion you should resolutely cleave to the facts in your report

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cleave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cleave are adhere, cling, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When might adhere be a better fit than cleave?

The words adhere and cleave can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is it sensible to use cling instead of cleave?

The meanings of cling and cleave largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When could cohere be used to replace cleave?

The words cohere and cleave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cleave?

While in some cases nearly identical to cleave, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleave
  1. adhere
  2. cling
  3. stick
Verb
  • Lightly brush the salmon fillets with the mustard and top with the panko/Parmesan mixture, pressing down lightly to adhere.
    — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Ashford acknowledged that the agency has to adhere strictly to its cleanup plans but said in some cases, like an industrial site near a residential area, the EPA may clean up to a lower level to prevent recontamination.
    — Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Ransom money was paid and searches were conducted as a country and a family clung to hope.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lyman clung to the hope that her son’s case would be different, and that Kaur would serve time behind bars for the collision.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 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
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.

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cleavages
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cleaved
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Cite this Entry

“Cleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleave. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleave

Nglish: Translation of cleave for Spanish Speakers

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