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 But all that rising energy has to cohere into something, and once Kennedy and Bessette actually become a couple, the air goes out of the room. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026 The album’s maximalist approach, combining an array of live instruments, VSTs, and samplers, sometimes coheres into true jams. H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026 How does the world cohere and decohere at the same time? Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 This is a wedge issue that Democrats have identified because it is not cohered on the MAGA side. CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cohere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere
Verb
  • The new project, which coincided with the brand’s 50th anniversary, offered casual fans and true aficionados the opportunity to discover the Armani archives with an interactive online platform that collated and organized its collections.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Jasso purportedly timed the shooting to coincide with the 27th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, as well as Adolf Hitler's birthday.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At City Hall, Witzburg's team pressed Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire a top advisor for failing to cooperate with a misconduct probe – which the mayor refused to do – and urged him to make public a gift room her investigators were denied access to, which Johnson agreed to do.
    Chris Tye, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • As Ballmer sees it, Sanberg agreed to cooperate in exchange for the league submitting a favorable sentencing letter to Judge Wilson, and thus he shouldn’t be regarded as a credible informant.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • McMahon corresponded with his professors.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But some people familiar with the matter say an applications uptick does not necessarily correspond to a surge in high-caliber recruits that can offset the attrition the bureau has endured.
    Eric Tucker, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That same year, the pair united again for a 10-day summer tour of Canada.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • What unites all these approaches is willingness to move beyond formulaic pairings into experiences that are both intuitive and adventurous.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Business owners, religious believers and now licensed professionals have faced mounting pressure to conform to a particular ideological framework or face penalties.
    Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Never one to conform to tradition, Diana selected the ring anyway, setting the tone for her own unique approach to royal life.
    Kelsey Lentz, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Barea is now one of the top assistants on Denver’s staff, collaborating with Adelman on the offense.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The agreement covers nationwide pickup and delivery operations in Vietnam, with the two sides planning to collaborate across key logistics services, including order collection and processing, last-mile delivery, customs clearance and warehouse operations at major aviation logistics hubs.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If emotions rise, pause and restate what’s been agreed on in simple terms.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
  • One of the suggestions was a shade of blonde that Hazelton agreed would work well.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The yacht will also be fitted with a flight control system shaped by technology from the automotive industry.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Amid a week-long February flood in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old singer is working every angle for her VIBE photoshoot, fitted in a Poetic Justice-esque paperboy cap, white corset top, edgy denim jeans, and white high heels.
    Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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