ADHERE (TO) Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

adhere (to)

verb

Definition of adhere (to)

as in to keep (to)

to give steadfast support to our coach adheres to the belief that we can win this game if we just have a positive attitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obey

to act according to the commands of adhere to the terms of the deceased's will

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhere (to)

Verb

Inputs divided by outputs established a unit-cost baseline that CFOs could optimize, benchmark and defend to the board.

— Hemant Kapadia, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The Late Show’s last hurrah now that CBS has pulled the plug, giving Colbert one last trophy for a show that won’t be around to defend it next year.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Verb

In China, filial piety is a core virtue; children traditionally are required to respect, obey and care for their parents.

— HUIYEE CHIEW AND LYRIC LI THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Arguably, most Russian elites have not obeyed the Kremlin out of deep loyalty or ideological alignment throughout Putin’s long reign.

— MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of obey

Verb

Reese, Naz Hilman and Madina Okot were held to 28 points combined with Okot scoring 16 – mostly in the fourth quarter.

— Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
After scoring 14 runs to begin this four-game series, the Royals have been held to just five runs in their last 18 innings.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of hold to

Verb

Moreno followed with his RBI single off Bryan King (2-4) to give Arizona the lead.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Drivers notoriously focus intensely on performance, and, like any athletes, have learned to ignore cues everyday people may follow.

— Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of follow

Verb

He's been there with her, and still stands by her by way of his testimony.

— Mike Toole, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, has stood by the Pennsylvania senator as he's repeatedly clashed with his fellow Democrats on the Iran war and other major issues.

— Jay Stahl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of stand by

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.

Browse Nearby Words

adheres (to)

adhere (to)

adhering

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adhere (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhere%20%28to%29. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of adhere (to)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aggrandize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes