COHERE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cohere

verb

kō-ˈhir

Definition of cohere next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In this show the palette shifted from the artist’s familiar Pepto-Bismol pink to slightly more somber shades, of saffron, eggplant, and rose; the colors had a touch of Bob Thompson about them, blocky flat shapes cohering into apparitions. —

Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 These acts—which often involve a physical component—help make gatherings of people cohere. —

Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025 Yet the songs, situated in the melange of Black music, cohered through D’Angelo’s resolve. —

Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025 This is a federal regulator who is using the power of government to coheres both Nexstar and ABC to take Jimmy Kimmel down off the air. —

ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cohere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere

Verb

That was the preliminary benchmark revision, an annual first-look estimate that coincides with the release of the first-quarter QCEW data.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Her career hiatus coincided with the termination of her conservatorship – which lasted nearly 14 years – in November 2021, following a case that brought intense scrutiny to her personal life and troubled past and also prompted a movement led by longtime fans.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of coincide

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coheirs

cohere

cohered

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“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of cohere

verb

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