as in clinging
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion
everyone started calling her "Cookie" when she was little and the name adhered
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Recent Examples of adhering
Homeowners should avoid painting the exterior of their home if the temperature or humidity is expected to fluctuate significantly, as this could leave bubbles or prevent the paint from adhering properly.
—
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
The research team claimed that their innovation involves applying a specialized coating to critical components to prevent hydrogen bubbles from adhering, thereby enabling smoother hydrogen release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 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
But the kitchen, overseen by Curtola along with the chef de cuisine Ben Zook, seems more interested in conjuring an authenticity of atmosphere than in adhering strictly to traditional recipes or preparations.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
After evaluating 200 hospital patients participating in the King's College London Oral, Dental, and Craniofacial Biobank, researchers found that those adhering most closely to a Mediterranean diet had the lowest levels of gum disease.
—New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025
To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
As fiduciaries, trustees are charged with managing trust assets, making distributions according to the trust’s terms and adhering strictly to the grantor’s intent and the language in the trust agreement.
—Royce Ramey, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
The research team claimed that their innovation involves applying a specialized coating to critical components to prevent hydrogen bubbles from adhering, thereby enabling smoother hydrogen release.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 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
But the kitchen, overseen by Curtola along with the chef de cuisine Ben Zook, seems more interested in conjuring an authenticity of atmosphere than in adhering strictly to traditional recipes or preparations.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
After evaluating 200 hospital patients participating in the King's College London Oral, Dental, and Craniofacial Biobank, researchers found that those adhering most closely to a Mediterranean diet had the lowest levels of gum disease.
—New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025
To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2025
As fiduciaries, trustees are charged with managing trust assets, making distributions according to the trust’s terms and adhering strictly to the grantor’s intent and the language in the trust agreement.
—Royce Ramey, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adhering
Verb
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Five of Evans’ seven points came in overtime, none bigger than a shot that went in with 50 seconds left while being fouled and Cleveland clinging to a 61-60 lead.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Still More to Discover The discovery of the Bandar-e Jask leaf-toed gecko is a reminder that even now, unknown species are still waiting to be found — sometimes clinging to the wall of a canyon, just out of reach of a flashlight’s beam.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of skittering off, the hot droplets start sticking and seeping into the surface texture, and leave wet patches behind.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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These additions can help keep food from sticking and make cleanup a lot easier.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adhering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adhering. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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