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
  • Drying too fast or too slow can affect how the paint adheres and compromise its longevity, resulting in premature failure.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Using clean hands, gently press down all over to adhere fillings to dough.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Cats demonstrating insecure attachment, by contrast, demonstrate signs of stress such as twitching their tail and licking their lips, and either staying away from their caregiver or clinging to them and not moving.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Will Chinese EVs officially dethrone Tesla and the Model Y in 2025, or does America's current most controversial car brand still have a chance to cling to glory?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Best Uses Due to their smooth, slippery surface, nonstick pans are ideal for delicate foods that are prone to sticking.
    Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025
  • No calibration, no camera… just plug, stick, and go.
    Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 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 21 May. 2025.

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