adherent

noun

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of adherent

: one who adheres to something: such as

a : a follower of a leader, party, or profession

Freud's adherents

b : a believer in or advocate especially of a particular idea or church

adherents of Chrisitianity

adherents of socialism

See adherent defined for English-language learners

Examples of adherent in a Sentence

an adherent of free trade
the Flat Earth Society surely doesn't have many adherents

Recent Examples of adherent from the Web

Some keto adherents also report having pretty atrocious breath, which might be caused by the presence of acetone, a ketone and by-product of fat metabolism, in exhaled breath.

— daniel schultz, ms, SELF, "Here’s What You Should Know Before Going on the Keto Diet," 16 Apr. 2018
While some were curious about the new product, many fry sauce adherents lamented the seeming abandonment of the fry sauce name.

— ese olumhense, chicagotribune.com, "Heinz teased 'mayochup,' a new mayo and ketchup condiment. A contentious online debate ensued.," 12 Apr. 2018
Supporters of President Donald Trump and adherents of the anti-fascist movement confronted each other earlier this month on Arizona State University's Tempe campus.

— kaila white, azcentral, "Antifa, Trump supporters confront each other on ASU's Tempe campus; one arrested," 27 Mar. 2018
In 1995, a religious cult killed 12 people in the Tokyo subway by releasing sarin, made by some of its adherents who were also scientists.

— richard pÉrez-peÑa, New York Times, "Former Russian Spy Poisoned by Nerve Agent, British Police Say," 7 Mar. 2018
Yet ingratitude toward America is central to the Left’s worldview — further reinforcing the unhappiness of its adherents.

— dennis prager, National Review, "Liberals and Conservatives Are Unhappy for Different Reasons," 13 Feb. 2018
Its adherents might squabble, but their differences lead them back, eventually, to a mutual inheritance: the words of Jesus in the Gospels, the lives of the saints, the rhythms of the liturgy, the catechism of the Church.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Will Pope Francis Cause a Schism in the Catholic Church?," 7 Sep. 2015
The church claims to have millions of members worldwide, including numerous Hollywood adherents such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Elisabeth Moss (the precise number is not currently known).

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "The Church of Scientology has launched a TV channel. It’s weirdly familiar.," 22 Mar. 2018
In 1995, a religious cult killed 12 people in the Tokyo subway by releasing sarin, made by some of its adherents.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Former Russian spy poisoned by nerve agent, British police say," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adherent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Stick With adherent

Just as tape adheres to paper, a person may adhere to a cause, a faith, or a belief. Thus, you may be an adherent of Hinduism, an adherent of environmentalism, or an adherent of the Republican Party. A plan for cutting taxes always attracts adherents easily, regardless of what the cuts may result in.

Origin and Etymology of adherent

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaerent-, adhaerens, going back to Latin, present participle of adhaerēre "to adhere"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

adherent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of adherent

follower, adherent, disciple, partisan mean one who gives full loyalty and support to another. follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

- an evangelist and his followers

adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

- adherents to Marxism

disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

- disciples of Gandhi

partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

- partisans of the President

adherent

adjective ad·her·ent \ ad-ˈhir-ənt , əd- \

Definition of adherent

1 : able or tending to adhere

an adherent material

2 : connected or associated with especially by contract

nations adherent to the treaty

3 : adnate

—

adherently

adverb

See adherent defined for kids

Examples of adherent in a Sentence

the bandage is made from a mildly adherent fiber

Origin and Etymology of adherent

Middle English aherdaunt, adherent, borrowed from Anglo-French aheirdant, going back to Latin adhaerent-, adhaerens, present participle of adhaerēre "to adhere"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year