adhere
verb
ad·here ad-ˈhir 
əd-
adhered; adhering
intransitive verb
1
: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing
The stamp failed to adhere to the envelope.
2
: to give support or maintain loyalty
adhere to traditional values
3
: to bind oneself to observance
adhere to the rules
4
obsolete : accord sense intransitive 1
transitive verb
: to cause to stick fast
The paper had been adhered to the wall.
Synonyms
- cleave
- cling
- hew
- stick
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The stamp failed to adhere. everyone started calling her “Cookie” when she was little and the name adhered
Recent Examples on the Web Alternately, there are decorative vines that can adhere to walls, such as star jasmine, evergreen clematis and royal trumpet. 
Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 There are other ways to show strength that don't adhere to the old traditions, which mean nothing to her. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 Multistate and multinational organizations need an effective way to employ people in ways that adhere to the laws of the land. Amit Rapaport, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Donald Trump used that divisive and demeaning lens of superiority as his political platform, wielding power in an effort to pummel anyone who does not adhere to guns as their God and money and men as the moral compass for this country. Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2022 Private maintenance and security help relegate the eruptions of city life — waste, homelessness, those who don’t adhere to codes of behavior and dress — to the periphery. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 The department is monitoring spending of relief funds, Ackley wrote, and has the power to deny proposals that officials believe don't adhere to federal guidelines. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2022 Princess Nokia empowers people who don't adhere to stereotypically feminine body standards with this song. Harper's BAZAAR, 17 Mar. 2022 Trump’s disdain and disregard for the presidential record-keeping system he was legally bound to adhere to is well-documented. Jacqueline Alemany, Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Aug. 2022 See More
Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 There are other ways to show strength that don't adhere to the old traditions, which mean nothing to her. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 Multistate and multinational organizations need an effective way to employ people in ways that adhere to the laws of the land. Amit Rapaport, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Donald Trump used that divisive and demeaning lens of superiority as his political platform, wielding power in an effort to pummel anyone who does not adhere to guns as their God and money and men as the moral compass for this country. Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2022 Private maintenance and security help relegate the eruptions of city life — waste, homelessness, those who don’t adhere to codes of behavior and dress — to the periphery. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 The department is monitoring spending of relief funds, Ackley wrote, and has the power to deny proposals that officials believe don't adhere to federal guidelines. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2022 Princess Nokia empowers people who don't adhere to stereotypically feminine body standards with this song. Harper's BAZAAR, 17 Mar. 2022 Trump’s disdain and disregard for the presidential record-keeping system he was legally bound to adhere to is well-documented. Jacqueline Alemany, Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adhérer, going back to Old French ahérer, borrowed from Latin adhaerēre "to cling, stick (to), attach oneself, keep close (to a person)," from ad- ad- + haerēre "to be closely attached, stick" — more at hesitate
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2
Phrases Containing adhere
Kids Definition
adhere
verb
ad·here ad-ˈhir
adhered; adhering
1
: to stick tight : cling
The stamps adhered to the envelope.
2
: to act in the way that is required by
adhere to the rules
Medical Definition
adhere
verb
ad·here ad-ˈhi(ə)r, əd-
adhered; adhering
intransitive verb
1
: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing
a gauze bandage adhering to the wound
2
: to become joined (as in pathological adhesion)
the lung sometimes adheres to the pleura
transitive verb
: to cause to stick fast
adhered
verb
as in clung
to hold to something firmly as if by adhesion everyone started calling her "Cookie" when she was little and the name adhered Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- clung
- stuck
- glued
- cleaved
- hewed
- bound
- cohered
- fastened
- fused
- clove
- united
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loosened
- dropped
- fell