cleave Synonyms
Another word for cleave
• verb (Context 1)
To split or sever something along a natural grain, line of weakness, or structural plane, or to divide with a sharp blow.
"The skilled jeweler used a small mallet and wedge to split the rough diamond along its internal grain."
• verb (Context 2)
To stick fast or adhere strongly to a surface, person, or principle, either physically or emotionally (usually followed by "to").
"Despite decades of rapid modernization, many residents still cling to the traditional customs of their ancestors."
• verb (Context 3)
To divide a complex molecule or cell into simpler parts by breaking chemical bonds (in biochemistry and biology).
"Specific digestive enzymes are required to split the long protein chains into smaller peptides."
• verb (Context 4)
To make a way through water, air, or a dense crowd by parting it forcefully.
"The wooden prow of the expedition vessel began to part the icy waters of the fjord."
Opposites of cleave
The opposite of cleave shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: