adherence
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for adherence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Sticking closely to a rule, agreement, treatment or set of standards.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
adhesiveness
Antonyms
How to use adherence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
strict adherence
adherence to
medication adherence
Etymology
From Latin "adhaerere," to stick to, from "ad-" (to) plus "haerere" (to cling).
Full origin of adherence →Frequently asked questions
What does adherence mean?
Sticking to something as required — a rule, a plan, a course of treatment or a standard.
What is the difference between adherence and compliance?
They overlap, but in healthcare the distinction matters: compliance suggests following instructions given to you, while adherence implies the patient agreed the plan and is following it as an active participant. Adherence is now generally preferred.
