as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
a highly influential economist whose acolytes can be found at many major universities
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acolyte
This spring is an exciting season for acolytes of contemporary art, because two of New York’s most important recurring survey shows will align, giving viewers a chance to engage with a broad swath of new work.
—
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Two of the Senate candidates drawing the most enthusiasm from the left—Platner in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan—are Sanders acolytes.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In casting his acolytes, Del Toro seeks the alchemy that only human minds and hands can accomplish building tangible worlds.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Two of the Senate candidates drawing the most enthusiasm from the left—Platner in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan—are Sanders acolytes.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In casting his acolytes, Del Toro seeks the alchemy that only human minds and hands can accomplish building tangible worlds.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolyte
Noun
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Before nuclear technology even existed, there was nuclear utopianism, and the physicist Leo Szilard was its first serious adherent.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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Aleph and other Jewish chaplaincy groups say the chaplaincy system is being undermined by the Messianic movement, whose adherents may identify as Jews but are not recognized as such by any denomination of Judaism.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Friday, some of her followers made the trek to the mural only to find that the logo had already been painted over with a lighter shade of purple.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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And speaking with Jon Weinstein, the National Hockey League’s chief communications officer, SI noted that the league’s social media pages exploded with new followers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Unlike Jesus’s followers who doubted his resurrection, crypto’s true disciples aren’t losing faith.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
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In Acts, the disciple Paul endures several imprisonments, turning to God for strength and divine intervention.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolyte. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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