cleave

as in to adhere
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion you should resolutely cleave to the facts in your report

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cleave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cleave are adhere, cling, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When might adhere be a better fit than cleave?

The words adhere and cleave can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is it sensible to use cling instead of cleave?

The meanings of cling and cleave largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When could cohere be used to replace cleave?

The words cohere and cleave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cleave?

While in some cases nearly identical to cleave, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleave
Verb
  • Dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To adhere it onto the overflow drain, run warm water against the suction cup side and press it firmly against the tub.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Even when Pegula rediscovered her ability to smother Sabalenka with deep returns to her backhand, the Belarusian clung onto her serve.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Pheu Thai's crisis was triggered back in June by Anutin's withdrawal from its alliance, which left the coalition government clinging to power with a razor-thin majority amid protests and plummeting popularity.
    Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a city of 20 million people, where most sidewalks are dilapidated, getting stuck in slow-moving traffic can sound as loud as a rock concert.
    Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Caribbean Club This dive bar in Key Largo is stuck in the 1960s in the best way possible.
    Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Cleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleave. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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