cleave

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cleave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cleave are adhere, cling, cohere, and stick. While all these words mean "to become closely attached," cleave stresses strength of attachment.

the wet shirt cleaved to his back

When might adhere be a better fit than cleave?

The words adhere and cleave can be used in similar contexts, but adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together.

antibodies adhering to a virus

When is it sensible to use cling instead of cleave?

The meanings of cling and cleave largely overlap; however, cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils.

clinging to a capsized boat

When could cohere be used to replace cleave?

The words cohere and cleave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass.

eggs will make the mixture cohere

Where would stick be a reasonable alternative to cleave?

While in some cases nearly identical to cleave, stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together.

couldn't get the label to stick

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleave
Verb
  • However, adhering strictly to this principle can cause unintended harm—potentially triggering chain-reaction collisions that injure bystanders.
    Vamsi Vemoori, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
  • Dredge both sides in panko mixture, pressing to adhere.
    Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • But Charles finds hope with fellow student Opal Viola, clinging to dreams of a better, freer future.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Married to Stanley, a man of carnal appetites and vulgar manners, Stella has embraced the crude pleasures of realism, while her freeloading sister still clings to tattered aristocratic illusions.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Any extra surface moisture will prevent the caramel from sticking properly.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024
  • In fact, the key to this scene – the key to sticking that aforementioned landing — was making sure that Noa never came off as too emotional.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 11 Oct. 2024
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Cleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleave. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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