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

Both subsequent series adhered closer to the worldbuilding of the games and featured an entirely different cast. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026

But Paul Anthony Kelly is a less deft actor than Pidgeon, and he is given material that adheres even closer to the surface of the legend. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026

Re-dredge tofu in flour mixture, gently pressing to adhere. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026

Dredge in flour mixture again, pressing to adhere in a coarse layer. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing adhere

• adhere (to)