Definition of coherenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cohere contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cohere are adhere, cleave, cling, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

When can adhere be used instead of cohere?

While in some cases nearly identical to cohere, 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 cohere?

The meanings of cleave and cohere largely overlap; however, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When would cling be a good substitute for cohere?

The words cling and cohere can be used in similar contexts, but cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When is it sensible to use stick instead of cohere?

In some situations, the words stick and cohere are roughly equivalent. However, 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 cohere Still, somehow, the film does eventually cohere into a half-decent entertainment, as Humdinger’s greed leads to an environmental disaster that threatens to destroy dogs and dinos alike. Caspar Salmon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 The Willamette is less a river running through Oregon than one of the reasons Oregon coheres at all. Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Parmigiano was a sign that not only the culture but the idea of the country itself was beginning to cohere into a tangible political reality. Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 Maslany is the dynamic center of a story that twists in unexpected directions, giving Paula enough intelligence, warmth, and edginess to make her character cohere. Judy Berman, Time, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cohere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere
Verb
  • In addition to speech, our management of a localized fire for food, safety, and comfort is another uniquely human behavior, one that seems to have coincided with the development of complex spoken language.
    Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trout has spent his entire 16-year career with the Angels, a period that has coincided with one of the worst stretches in franchise history.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The scandal surrounding the prosecution was heightened by his father’s attempt to stop his relatives from cooperating with authorities.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Farm Adventures is based in Iredell County and books events in surrounding communities, and officials say the owner has been cooperating with the investigation.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In a corresponding move, the Jets released kicker Jason Sanders and offensive lineman Kohl Levao.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Both cohorts showed evidence of a dose-dependent association, in which higher blood xylitol concentrations corresponded to higher rates of cardiovascular events.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Steinem herself then appears at the very end for a scene that unites all the versions of herself together.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The one thing that seems to unite the left and the right nowadays is populist economics.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The key lesson for personal branding is to embrace distinctiveness, substance, and a unique voice, rather than conforming to generic professionalism.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Perovskites, meanwhile, offer the possibility of lightweight and potentially flexible solar layers that could conform to roofs, hoods and other body panels.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ramya collaborated with Lotus Bloom and her friend Sandy Gill to customize a Papa Don’t Preach lehenga.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The pair collaborated on the track for the band’s third studio album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, and last performed it together in 2020 during a live performance recorded on the rooftop of Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Steve Nickson, the long-serving head of recruitment, handed in his notice in mid-June, subsequently agreeing to join Championship side Wrexham.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Reviewers agree that the design looks refined, with leather that feels more expensive than its approachable price point suggests.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Titaner Razorbill isn't simply a Tanto blade fitted into a titanium handle.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Judge Kimberly Gallant said he must be fitted with an ankle monitor before his release and will then spend his time in home confinement.
    Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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