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 launch is expected to coincide with the 250th anniversary in July.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This increase in spending has coincided with more layoffs in the tech sector.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The problem is that Hayley’s body doesn’t always cooperate.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
  • Another job of the VSP was cooperating and coordinating with scientists in other parts of the world.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The theme of each Met Gala, which sets the tone for the evening’s dress code, tends to correspond with that year’s Costume Institute fashion exhibition.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • Anika Reed The Costume Institute exhibit has a distinct theme each year that corresponds with the Met Gala.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • Banerjee had emerged as one of the most prominent national challengers to Modi, particularly after positioning herself as a key leader to unite regional parties against the BJP.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 May 2026
  • Prem ran on improving infrastructure, public safety, uniting the community and fiscal responsibility.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Those who don’t conform deserve punishment to show the public that unethical behavior is not tolerated.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • In the first case against Comey—the one that was tossed last year—DOJ managed to secure the indictment that Trump wanted by stretching the facts to conform to the law.
    Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Amanda Chapman, Edward Kelley Preschool’s teacher of a decade, stood before the Sacramento City Unified School District board Thursday night and thanked them for collaborating with her and district personnel to create a plan that would allow the parent participation preschool to stay open.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
  • Sources have told Deadline that Fox was originally unhappy with the creative on Season 14 of the show, but collaborated with the creative team and was ultimately sated.
    Peter White, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • But Adams, his political rival, seemed to agree.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Hezbollah had maintained a robust presence of fighters south of the river for decades, but under a previous ceasefire deal with Israel, agreed to pull back its forces north of the waterway.
    Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The front area of the deck is being fitted with 100 square meters of solar panels, capable of delivering more than 20 kilowatts of electrical power.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • That fits right in with a Golden Eagles staff that pitches to contact and lets the defense work.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on cohere

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster