cohere

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 How does the world cohere and decohere at the same time? Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 This is a wedge issue that Democrats have identified because it is not cohered on the MAGA side. CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025 As a collection, God-Disease coheres through motifs of rot, mold, mental illness. Miriam Gershow, Literary Hub, 1 Dec. 2025 These acts—which often involve a physical component—help make gatherings of people cohere. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cohere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere
Verb
  • The festival usually coincides with St Patrick’s Day — although not this year — and has become a showcase for Irish racing.
    Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The lawmakers also reference the particular focus on this year’s parade, where the route has been reversed to mark America’s 250th birthday and coincide with the historic route that was used during the British evacuation of Boston.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • However, the defense’s closing arguments called into question the reliability of the prosecution’s cooperating witness, Nathan Josiah Baumann, who was found close to the scene of the shooting and ultimately pleaded guilty last year.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Diaz-Canel said that Havana has been cooperating with Washington in the wake of the incident, that the injured received medical care, and that the relatives of the deceased have been notified.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Futures on China’s 30-year and 10-year bonds dropped the most since late December on Monday, while corresponding cash yields climbed.
    Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Just like with trees, it was thought that each ring corresponded to a single year of age.
    Regina G. Barber, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This Mercury-Jupiter trine unites your distant 9th house and your personal 1st house, since Jupiter’s currently in your sign.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The Bruins, though, have found success as a Big Ten giant, with the vestiges of the old conference united in the most unlikely way.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The District voted late last year not to conform to the new tax laws, but Congress voted to reverse that decision in the middle of tax season.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Trump’s figure doesn’t conform to findings by retirement professionals such as the 401(k) overseers at Bank of America.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The government took a genuine invitation to collaborate as a perfidious power grab.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The companies will collaborate to enhance the Air Force’s multi-cloud architecture.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Rams gave safety Quentin Lake an extension in January, traded for McDuffie and agreed to terms with safety Kam Curl on an extension.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • According to court documents obtained by People, both Kidman and Urban agreed to waive all child and spousal support rights.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The initial goal was a single-family home that could fit a family of four (plus a dog), and was within walking distance of the school.
    Carisa Crawford Chappell, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The man at the gun shop looked at Martinez, a small woman with round eyes and rosy cheeks, and recommended the pistol, which fit nicely in her hands.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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