CLEAVING Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

cleaving

verb

present participle of cleave

as in adhering

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

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cleaving Congress’ lame-duck session starts with a bang on Monday, as Senate Republicans debate their future after last week’s shellacking and Democrats face their first vote on a permitting reform bill that is cleaving them. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026 In both cases, the protein structure was known, as were the key amino acids that catalyze cleaving other proteins. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 It can be made cleanly by cleaving the hydrogen out of water using clean electricity. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Imagine a termite carving a path like a jumbled ball of string through a tree trunk, instead of an axe cleaving a single vector. — New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026 Daemon struggles to his feet, dazed, and begins cleaving his way through the smouldering city. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 By the time Lincoln was elected president in 1860, slavery was already cleaving the country. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Inequality is cleaving the haves and the have-nots. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026 The shakeup in Kraft Heinz’s senior ranks is an initial step in CEO Steve Cahillane’s ambitious plan to turn around the company, instead of cleaving its top-performing condiments and boxed meals apart from its lower-growth grocery staples. — Kristina Peterson, Bloomberg, 18 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaving

Verb

Repeat guests begin wrapping their feet with tape and adhering gel pads to prevent blisters.

— Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
Unlike in Cutud, participants are mostly female faith healers adhering not to vows but to mystic trances and possession.

— H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026

Definition of adhering

Verb

The Monarchs were clinging to a 21-20 lead in the second set when Matavao took control, hammering spikes for her team’s last four points.

— Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Anir has remained glued to the door, his left hand gripping the handle as if clinging to something solid might keep him from faltering.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of clinging

Verb

Using a rolling pin, roll it into a 12-inch round, lifting and rotating the dough and adding another dusting of flour as needed to keep it from sticking.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Seeds are spread to new areas along waterways and by sticking onto fur and clothing or equipment.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026