CLEAVE Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cleave

verb

ˈklēv

Definition of cleave

as in to adhere

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

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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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleave

Verb

As such, the press is not allowed to publish details that might lead to any of the accusers being identified, and coverage of the trial will adhere strictly to what happens in court.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Top with reserved hazelnuts and press in gently to adhere (surface will be smothered with nuts).

— Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of adhere

Verb

In the meantime, the migrants had to tread water, alone in the immense, dark ocean, with little to cling to but debris and each other.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
In the house, his children clung to a ceiling fan as rising water pushed their mattress toward the ceiling.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cling

Verb

Raichlen’s career, in a way, is similar in that he’s never been stuck in the lane of writing about barbecuing only brisket and pork.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Hopefully, Goover will stick the landing with its product, and stick around for a while to come.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stick

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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“Cleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleave. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cleave

verb

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