cohere

Definition of coherenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cohere contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cohere are adhere, cleave, cling, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

When can adhere be used instead of cohere?

While in some cases nearly identical to cohere, adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

In what contexts can cleave take the place of cohere?

The meanings of cleave and cohere largely overlap; however, cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When would cling be a good substitute for cohere?

The words cling and cohere can be used in similar contexts, but cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When is it sensible to use stick instead of cohere?

In some situations, the words stick and cohere are roughly equivalent. However, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

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 cohere This is a wedge issue that Democrats have identified because it is not cohered on the MAGA side. CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025 In this show the palette shifted from the artist’s familiar Pepto-Bismol pink to slightly more somber shades, of saffron, eggplant, and rose; the colors had a touch of Bob Thompson about them, blocky flat shapes cohering into apparitions. Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 These acts—which often involve a physical component—help make gatherings of people cohere. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025 This is a federal regulator who is using the power of government to coheres both Nexstar and ABC to take Jimmy Kimmel down off the air. ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cohere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere
Verb
  • The first date is June 11, coinciding with the World Cup’s opening match in Mexico City.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The announcement coincides with India's AI Impact Summit, a five-day event which got underway on Monday.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The bill compels public universities and local governments, including schools, to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The officer attempted to detain Parnell, who allegedly did not cooperate, Thompson said.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Pointer states correspond to properties that are classically observable, such as position or charge.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Of course, most of the people who corresponded with Epstein were men.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The CivxNow Coalition, a project of iCivics, convenes a national coalition of 415 member organizations united behind the goal of ensuring universal access to a high-quality civic education for all K-12 students.
    Erin Carlson Mast, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The Loro Piana Royal Lightness fabric unites Mulberry Silk and the finest cashmere.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The tension in Hines’s version lies in Bessette’s refusal to conform to the role.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Martin highlighted the findings, which mostly conformed to his expectations but still surprised him in the magnitude of the angst over the work situationship.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Faison and Braff are still constantly collaborating whether that’s on a podcast or commercials, and even though she’s decamped from Los Angeles to Canada, Chalke makes a point to keep in touch.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • On the heels of a caviar giveaway for Valentine's Day and plans to roll out the Big Arch burger stateside, McDonald's and Drake — the rapper, singer and actor — are collaborating on a new late-night meal.
    Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But surprisingly, not everyone agrees.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Building a car factory the US could take several years, but leading experts agree that most Chinese carmakers are already eyeing the US market.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Despite her absence due to a leg injury, Centennial still gave the Trailblazers fits as Kansas commit Cydnee Bryant led the way.
    Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Inflation, not created equal Helping drive that disconnect, Stoller and economists say, is the fact that inflation isn’t one size fits all.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cohere

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!