cohere

Definition of coherenext

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 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 This is a wedge issue that Democrats have identified because it is not cohered on the MAGA side. CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cohere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cohere
Verb
  • The launch is expected to coincide with the 250th anniversary in July.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This increase in spending has coincided with more layoffs in the tech sector.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At City Hall, Witzburg's team pressed Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire a top advisor for failing to cooperate with a misconduct probe – which the mayor refused to do – and urged him to make public a gift room her investigators were denied access to, which Johnson agreed to do.
    Chris Tye, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • As Ballmer sees it, Sanberg agreed to cooperate in exchange for the league submitting a favorable sentencing letter to Judge Wilson, and thus he shouldn’t be regarded as a credible informant.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The city will be divided into five collection areas corresponding to residents’ garbage day.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake.
    William B. Davis, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • What unites us is this wonder about venturing further into space.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Gross said the prayer was clearly an attempt to show the two churches united, especially in confronting the global conflicts and projecting a message of unity.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The point was to conform language to lies, to narrow the range of thought, to obscure the truth, and, over time, to get people to believe in illusions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • At that time, the owners, and the development team committed to file a conforming site plan application within one year of the approval, which deadline the Zoning Board extended in March 2025 to November 5, 2025.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Barea is now one of the top assistants on Denver’s staff, collaborating with Adelman on the offense.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The agreement covers nationwide pickup and delivery operations in Vietnam, with the two sides planning to collaborate across key logistics services, including order collection and processing, last-mile delivery, customs clearance and warehouse operations at major aviation logistics hubs.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Seeking offense, New York plans to designate Tommy Pham for assignment and has agreed to a major league contract with Austin Slater, a pair of people familiar with the move said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decisions were not announced.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Invite someone in, agree on a clear next step, and follow through together so momentum builds without confusion or mixed signals.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The metaphor perfectly fits the 6-foot-5 Jordan, who casts an imposing figure on the mound.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The roomy interior easily fits travel essentials—think a camera, wallet, passport, portable charger, phone, and more—without feeling bulky.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cohere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cohere. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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