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.
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
Dip each piece of chicken in the egg, then in the bread crumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere.
The motor can be unlocked to bump the top speed to 24 mph (38.6 km/h) when venturing into the wild, with the rider holding onto the high-rise bars while the passenger clings to the rider.
—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Aug. 2025
Yet clinging to the old system and pining for its restoration would be deluded and futile.
—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Aug. 2025
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