cleave

verb

ˈklēv How to pronounce cleave (audio)
Definition of cleavenext
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleave
  1. adhere
  2. cling
  3. stick
Verb
  • To avoid these potentially destabilizing effects, military leaders will need to explain what the country stands to lose if the military devotes excess time, resources, and attention to domestic operations and fails to adhere carefully to the laws of war.
    — Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The faulty cant rails appear to stem from inadequate glue used to adhere the components to the vehicle frame, which allegedly weakens after exposure to freezing temperatures.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of adhere
Verb
  • Banks that cling to legacy distribution models may see their brand recognition diminish, even as demand for their core services remains strong.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • When the time came to head to the airport, her parents accompanied her all the way to security to say goodbye — clinging to that moment for as long as possible.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of cling
Verb
  • But whether the trial's May 5 start date will stick is another story.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Moving Rafaela clears room for Anthony to stick in the lineup.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
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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Cite this Entry

“Cleave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleave. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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