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

Lightly brush the salmon fillets with the mustard and top with the panko/Parmesan mixture, pressing down lightly to adhere. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Ashford acknowledged that the agency has to adhere strictly to its cleanup plans but said in some cases, like an industrial site near a residential area, the EPA may clean up to a lower level to prevent recontamination. — Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2026

Earlier versions adhered more closely to the facts of what happened to Pam. — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, rolling between your palms so that sugar adheres. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

Phrases Containing adhere

• adhere (to)