Synonyms of cohere

cohere

verb

kō-ˈhir 

1

as in to coincide

to be in agreement on every point

the account in his journal coheres with the official report of the battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coincide
• correspond
• conform
• agree
• fit
• consist
• harmonize
• sort
• rhyme
• accord
• answer
• align
• check
• dovetail
• go
• comport
• jibe
• match
• square
• parallel
• fall in with
• tally
• chord
• equal
• line up
• register

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• differ (from)
• disagree (with)
• contradict
• dispute
• conflict
• nullify
• negate
• gainsay
• jar
• clash

2

as in to cooperate

to form or enter into an association that furthers the interests of its members

beset by personal animosities, the people of the neighborhood could not cohere into an effective civic association

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cooperate
• unite
• collaborate
• coalesce
• merge
• federate
• organize
• converge
• confederate
• consolidate
• club
• ally
• conjoin
• league
• band (together)
• pull together
• join
• combine
• close ranks
• associate
• amalgamate
• incorporate
• hang together
• group
• unionize
• affiliate
• link
• team (up)
• tie
• gang up
• conglomerate
• knot
• cabal
• wed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• split
• separate
• disband
• dissolve
• segregate
• break up
• detach
• disengage
• sever
• part
• divorce
• alienate
• disunite
• fall out
• sunder
• estrange

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

Recent Examples of cohere

These dimensions normally cohere in the speaker, which binds a person to their words. —Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026

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