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cleave

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of cleave

to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion
  • You should resolutely cleave to the facts in your report.
Synonyms of cleave

adhere, cling, hew, stick
Words Related to cleave

bind, cohere, fasten, fuse, glue, unite
Near Antonyms of cleave

loosen

drop, fall

Synonym Discussion of cleave

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.
    • couldn't get the label to stick
adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.
    • antibodies adhering to a virus
cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.
    • eggs will make the mixture cohere
cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.
    • clinging to a capsized boat
cleave stresses strength of attachment.
    • the wet shirt cleaved to his back

Synonym Discussion of cleave

Learn More about cleave

  1. See words that rhyme with cleave Dictionary: Definition of cleave Medical Dictionary: Definition of cleave Spanish Central: Translation of cleave Nglish: Translation of cleave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cleave for Arabic speakers

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