Abide vs. Adhere — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 19, 2024
Abide generally means to follow or tolerate rules, while adhere emphasizes sticking firmly to a surface, plan, or set of rules.
Difference Between Abide and Adhere
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Abide is often used in contexts where the emphasis is on enduring or staying in line with certain rules or regulations, reflecting a sense of long-term compliance or acceptance. In contrast, adhere suggests a strong, almost physical bonding to guidelines, plans, or ideas, typically implying a more active effort to hold closely or firmly to them.
Abide can convey a sense of living within the constraints of something, such as laws or traditions, often with an implication of passivity. On the other hand, adhere often involves a conscious decision and effort to follow something very closely, whether it's a set of guidelines, principles, or physical attachment to something.
In legal or formal contexts, to abide by something means to accept and act according to a rule, decision, or recommendation. Whereas, to adhere to something is used more broadly in both physical and metaphorical senses, indicating fidelity or attachment to something like an ideal, rule, or protocol.
When discussing personal principles or ethics, someone might abide by their morals, suggesting they live in a way that is consistent with their values. Adhere, in such cases, would emphasize a strict and active alignment with those values, almost as if they are physically bonded to them.
In terms of usage, abide is slightly more archaic and formal, often appearing in legal, religious, or literary contexts. Adhere appears more commonly in scientific, medical, and technical contexts, especially when discussing the physical process of bonding or attachment.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To accept or follow (a rule)
To stick firmly (to a rule)
Context
Legal, traditional, religious
Scientific, technical
Connotation
Compliance, tolerance
Firm attachment, fidelity
Usage Frequency
Less common, more formal
More common, versatile
Example Context
"Abide by the law"
"Adhere to guidelines"
Compare with Definitions
Abide
To accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation.
You must abide by the court's decision.
Adhere
To believe in and follow the practices of.
He adheres to the traditional methods of teaching.
Abide
To remain stable or fixed in a state.
I will abide in my house until the storm passes.
Adhere
To carry out a plan or program without deviation.
They adhered to the terms of the contract rigorously.
Abide
To tolerate or endure.
She can't abide being on a crowded bus.
Adhere
To attach oneself firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly.
She adheres to the green party.
Abide
(Archaic) To await.
Abide until your father returns.
Adhere
To stick fast to (a surface or substance).
Paint will not adhere well to a greasy surface.
Abide
To continue without fading or being lost.
His memory abides with all who knew him.
Adhere
To represent truth or accuracy.
The script adheres closely to the original novel.
Abide
To put up with; tolerate
Can't abide such incompetence.
Adhere
To stick fast to something; stay attached
Glue makes the wallpaper adhere to the wall.
Abide
To wait patiently for
"I will abide the coming of my lord" (Tennyson).
Adhere
To remain devoted to or be in support of something
Adhered to her beliefs.
Abide
To remain in a place
"I'll call upon you straight. Abide within" (Shakespeare).
Adhere
To carry out a plan, scheme, or operation without deviation
We will adhere to our plan.
Abide
To continue in existence; endure
"I have decided my life can't be about absence, what I don't have, what does not abide, and the rich grief it brings" (Amy Benson).
Adhere
To cause to adhere; make stick.
Abide
To dwell or reside.
Adhere
(intransitive) To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united.
Wax adhered to his finger
Abide
(transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand.
The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.
Adhere
To be attached or devoted by personal union, in belief, on principle, etc.
Abide
(transitive) To bear patiently.
Adhere
To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree.
Abide
(transitive) To pay for; to stand the consequences of.
Adhere
To affirm a judgment.
Abide
To wait in expectation.
Adhere
To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united; as, wax to the finger; the lungs sometimes adhere to the pleura.
Abide
To pause; to delay.
Adhere
To hold, be attached, or devoted; to remain fixed, either by personal union or conformity of faith, principle, or opinion; as, men adhere to a party, a cause, a leader, a church.
Abide
To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left.
Adhere
To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree.
Abide
To have one's abode.
Adhere
Be compatible or in accordance with;
You must adhere to the rules
Abide
To endure; to remain; to last.
Adhere
Follow through or carry out a plan without deviation;
They adhered to their plan
Abide
To stand ready for; to await for someone; watch for.
Adhere
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
Abide
To endure or undergo a hard trial or a task; to stand up under.
Adhere
Be a devoted follower or supporter;
The residents of this village adhered to Catholicism
She sticks to her principles
Abide
To await submissively; accept without question; submit to.
Adhere
Be loyal to;
She stood by her husband in times of trouble
The friends stuck together through the war
Abide
To wait; to pause; to delay.
Adhere
Stick to firmly;
Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?
Abide
To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; - with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place.
Let the damsel abide with us a few days.
Abide
To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain.
Let every man abide in the same calling.
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first.
Abide
To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time.
Bonds and afflictions abide me.
Abide
To endure; to sustain; to submit to.
[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it.
Abide
To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.
She could not abide Master Shallow.
Abide
To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.
Dearly I abide that boast so vain.
Abide
Dwell;
You can stay with me while you are in town
Stay a bit longer--the day is still young
Abide
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to abide by something?
To abide by something means to follow or act in accordance with rules, decisions, or laws.
What is an example of adhering to a principle?
Adhering to a principle means to follow it very closely, much like sticking to a strict diet.
How do the implications of abide and adhere differ in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, abide implies obedience to a rule or law, while adhere suggests strict and careful alignment with legal principles or directives.
Can abide be used in a physical context?
Abide is rarely used in a physical context; it primarily describes compliance or tolerance in abstract or formal senses.
Which is more likely to appear in religious texts, abide or adhere?
Abide is more common in religious texts, often implying a faithful, enduring presence or compliance.
What does it mean to not abide someone or something?
Not abiding someone or something typically means not being able to tolerate them or it.
Can you use adhere in a casual conversation?
Yes, adhere can be used casually, especially when discussing adherence to plans or routines.
Is adhere used only in physical contexts?
While adhere can describe physical attachment, it also widely applies to ideals, plans, or guidelines metaphorically.
What kind of loyalty is suggested by abide?
Abide suggests a passive, enduring loyalty, more about living within the confines of something enduringly.
Why might one choose to use abide instead of adhere in writing?
One might choose abide to evoke a more formal or traditional tone, particularly in literary or legal contexts.
How does adhere imply loyalty?
Adhere implies an active, decisive loyalty, often suggesting a choice to stick closely to something.
Can adhere be used to describe emotions?
Adhere generally does not describe emotions directly; it's more about actions or beliefs aligning closely with certain standards or practices.
What does it indicate if a company adheres to international standards?
It indicates that the company strictly follows and aligns with internationally recognized guidelines and practices.
Is it correct to say "abide with me"?
"Abide with me" is correct and is often used to request someone to stay or remain present.
What is a physical example of adhere?
An example is glue that adheres to paper.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
