- to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
- to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleave
So cleave is it's own opposite. It causes no confusion because context is everything. q.v. homonyms.
Edit: "The word "cleave" has two opposite meanings - either to stick together or to split apart. Are there any other words that do the same thing?" https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-13...
- to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
- to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleave
So cleave is it's own opposite. It causes no confusion because context is everything. q.v. homonyms.
Edit: "The word "cleave" has two opposite meanings - either to stick together or to split apart. Are there any other words that do the same thing?" https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-13...