adhere

ad·here | \ ad-ˈhir

, əd- \

adhered; adhering

Definition of adhere

1 : to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing The stamp failed to adhere to the envelope.

2 : to give support or maintain loyalty adhere to traditional values

3 : to bind oneself to observance adhere to the rules

4 obsolete : accord sense intransitive 1

transitive verb

: to cause to stick fast The paper had been adhered to the wall.

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about adhere

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Choose the Right Synonym for adhere

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together. couldn't get the label to stick adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together. antibodies adhering to a virus cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass. eggs will make the mixture cohere cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils. clinging to a capsized boat cleave stresses strength of attachment. the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Examples of adhere in a Sentence

The stamp failed to adhere. everyone started calling her “Cookie” when she was little and the name adhered

Recent Examples on the Web Hawley cited unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and accused the state of Pennsylvania of failing to adhere to its election laws by extending the deadline for mail-in ballots, an argument that has repeatedly been rejected by federal courts. — al, "Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley will fight Biden’s Electoral College victory," 30 Dec. 2020 Strictly adhere to the school district’s social distancing and infection mitigation strategies. — Teri Webster, Dallas News, "Richardson ISD revises quarantine policies for students and teachers exposed to COVID-19," 22 Dec. 2020 This will roughen up the paneling’s glossy surface, so the primer will adhere better. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Successfully Paint Any Wall in Your House," 18 Dec. 2020 But some auto companies agreed with California to adhere to more stringent limits, prompting a legal fight with the federal government. — Washington Post, "Biden to name Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary," 15 Dec. 2020 The Lions already adhere to strict testing protocols under NFL guidelines, which require players to undergo daily COVID-19 testing on nongame days. — Chris Thomas, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan's latest COVID-19 emergency order means Detroit Lions won't have fans on Thanksgiving," 15 Nov. 2020 These cells adhere to the walls of the veins and arteries, instead of being swept into the spleen, to be destroyed. — Donald G. Mcneil Jr., Star Tribune, "A malaria mystery, partly solved: What happens when the rains end?," 14 Nov. 2020 The vehicles adhere to a clean cab initiative with outside storage on the vehicle for the firefighters' turnout gear, axes and helmets. — John Benson, cleveland, "Parma Fire Department unveils brand-new fire trucks: Photos," 11 Nov. 2020 Failing to adhere to the prime directive that the president is never wrong. — Ben Santer, Scientific American, "An Open Letter to Joe Biden," 7 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adhere.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.