Synonyms of adhere

adhere

verb

ad-ˈhir 

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

• cling
• stick
• glue
• cleave
• hew
• bind
• fasten
• unite
• fuse
• cohere

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall
• loosen
• drop

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

Recent Examples of adhere

Sprinkle the salt mixture all over the turkey, including inside the cavity, patting to adhere and nudging some into the crevices. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025

For instance, boys most likely to struggle with girls as competitors are those who adhere most closely to traditional gender ideals. —Soraya Chemaly, Time, 24 Nov. 2025

The results also highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, optimizing metabolic health and adhering closely to established cancer treatments and follow-up, according to the researchers. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Stack glass ornaments in a pyramid formation on top of a compote, adhering the ornaments to one another with scrapbooking glue dots. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025

Phrases Containing adhere

• adhere (to)