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Meaning & use

adhering

verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/ədˈhɪərɪŋ/
US/ədˈhɪrɪŋ/

“adhering” is a form of “adhere”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbintransitiveformal

    Following a rule, plan, belief or standard closely and without change.

    Grammar: Followed by to: adhering to the rules; it does not take a direct object.

    Patterns

    • adhering to something

    The company is adhering to the new safety guidelines.

    Students must be adhering to the dress code at all times.

    She succeeded by adhering to a strict study timetable.

  2. verbintransitive

    Sticking firmly to a surface or to something else.

    Grammar: Often followed by to: the label is adhering to the glass.

    Patterns

    • adhering to something

    The paint is adhering well to the wooden surface.

    Mud kept adhering to his boots as he walked.

    The bandage was adhering firmly to her skin.

Common combinations

adhering to the rules
Players are adhering to the rules of the league.
adhering to a schedule
The crew is adhering to the schedule despite the delays.
strictly adhering
The inspector praised the firm for strictly adhering to standards.
adhering to principles
He is known for adhering to his principles.
adhering to the surface
The coating works by adhering to the surface of the metal.
adhering to a diet
She has been adhering to a low-sugar diet for months.

Synonyms and how they differ

complying
Complying focuses on obeying a rule or request, while adhering also suggests staying faithful to a plan or belief.
sticking
Sticking is informal and used for both glue and rules, while adhering sounds more formal for rules.
observing
Observing implies carefully keeping a law or custom, but it does not apply to physical sticking.
following
Following is the plain everyday term and lacks the sense of firm commitment that adhering carries.

Opposites

deviatingviolating

Word family

adhere verb
the base form
adherence noun
the act of sticking to a rule or belief
adherent noun
a supporter of a belief or party
adhesive noun
a substance such as glue that sticks things
adhesion noun
the sticking of one surface to another

Commonly confused: adhering or abiding? adhering or cohering?

adhering vs abiding

Abiding by something means accepting a rule or decision. Adhering to is closer to staying committed to it.

adhering vs cohering

Cohering means holding together as one whole, while adhering means sticking to something else.

Practice

The company insists on ___ to every safety regulation.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “adhering”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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