cleave
7 antonyms for cleave — opposites grouped by meaning.
Verb — To split something apart, typically with a sharp tool or a forceful blow.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To split something apart, typically with a sharp tool or a forceful blow.
“The axe cleaved the log neatly in two.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to use cleave
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cleave in two
cleave to a belief
cleave apart
Etymology
From Old English cleofan, "to split" — confusingly, cleave also came to mean "stick to," from a completely different Old English verb (cleofian) that just happened to end up spelled the same way.
Full origin of cleave →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleave” mean?
The word “cleave” means to split something apart, typically with a sharp tool or a forceful blow. In plain terms, cleave has two nearly opposite meanings: to split apart, or to stick firmly together — context tells you which one is meant.
How do you pronounce “cleave”?
“Cleave” is pronounced KLEEV (/ˈkliːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleave” in a sentence?
Here is “cleave” used in a sentence: “The axe cleaved the log neatly in two.”
What part of speech is “cleave”?
“Cleave” is a verb.
Where does the word “cleave” come from?
The word “cleave” comes from Old English. From Old English cleofan, "to split" — confusingly, cleave also came to mean "stick to," from a completely different Old English verb (cleofian) that just happened to end up spelled the same way.
How many meanings does “cleave” have?
“Cleave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to split something apart, typically with a sharp tool or a forceful blow.
