Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb cleave

3 senses of cleave

Sense 1
cleave, split, rive -- (separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument; "cleave the bone")
       => tear -- (to separate or be separated by force; "planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars")

Sense 2
cleave -- (make by cutting into; "The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock")
       => make, create -- (make or cause to be or to become; "make a mess in one's office"; "create a furor")

Sense 3
cling, cleave, adhere, stick, cohere -- (come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation; "The dress clings to her body"; "The label stuck to the box"; "The sushi rice grains cohere")
       => touch, adjoin, meet, contact -- (be in direct physical contact with; make contact; "The two buildings touch"; "Their hands touched"; "The wire must not contact the metal cover"; "The surfaces contact at this point")