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 Repeat guests begin wrapping their feet with tape and adhering gel pads to prevent blisters. — Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026 Existing homeowners in state responsibility and very high hazard zones will have up to five years to comply with Zone Zero, while new construction must adhere immediately. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for adhere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhere
  1. cling
  2. stick
Verb
  • Mykola Murskyj, senior adviser on policy and strategy at the nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine, told the Washington Examiner that Zelensky isn’t just arbitrarily clinging to power — the entire country is wary of voting during wartime.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Rescues were reported in multiple counties on Saturday, including people found in floodwaters, clinging to a piece of a dock along the Freedom Trail Greenway in Burke County, officials say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cling
Verb
  • As such, the greatest obstacle to genuine transformation is getting stuck in the planning cycle.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Chatten’s narrators are stuck in a perpetual apartness—desperate for safety and connection, but repeatedly failing to find it.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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