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 With a heavier emotional anchor, Nia’s signature combination of soul-baring rave and spiky guitars coheres more boldly. Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 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
  • Brian Fluharty / Getty Images Rutschman’s emergence has coincided with Gasper’s solid at-bats since being recalled over the weekend in light of Masataka Yoshida’s appointment to the IL.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As with the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, many of the attacks coincided with local civil rights activism and protest.
    Jason Wollschleger, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The countries have held joint military drills and signed a nuclear power development pact and agreed to cooperate in human space flight projects including the selection and training of Myanmar’s first cosmonaut.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, called for help and is cooperating with the investigation.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Anticipating their communications would ​be sought through Freedom of Information Act requests, Morens and others agreed to correspond using Morens’ personal email account ​instead of his government one, prosecutors said.
    Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
  • While the woman was unnamed in the police memo, a corresponding court case names Gallagher as the subject of an Apprehended Violence Application filed on behalf of Gael Cameron, a fellow Below Deck castmate with whom Gallagher shares a young child.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After bruising primaries, candidates from both sides try to unite their parties.
    Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers explained the implications of Law 2029 and the privatization agreement, encouraging residents from both urban neighborhoods and rural farming communities to unite in opposition.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Joby has flown its first FAA-conforming aircraft and entered the final stage of type certification.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The key to it is to give these kids an opportunity in the summer to be with their peers and not have to conform to always having to do hard things.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Geneticist Shai Carmi, an associate professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has collaborated on an unpublished analysis of another grave from the same cemetery but was not involved in the research on Zosia.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, board members urged the county office to work with the district toward a resolution, with board member Jasjit Singh calling it an opportunity for the county office to collaborate with the district on its fiscal challenges.
    Chaewon Chung August 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Many fans agreed Wednesday's game with Messi can keep that momentum going, while also shining a spotlight on the Union.
    Eva Andersen, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ahmed and Gilkar say West cut off communication with them shortly after agreeing to terminate the pregnancy.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Legal experts dispute Abbott’s claims that the ritual washing stations are discriminatory, with some saying his attack fits a pattern of anti-Muslim actions and rhetoric.
    Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Some suites intentionally feel cave-like and cocooning, which fits the atmosphere but may not suit everyone.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cohere

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!