fellow traveler

noun

: a person who sympathizes with and often furthers the ideals and program of an organized group (such as the Communist party) without membership in the group or regular participation in its activities
broadly : a sympathetic supporter of another's cause
fellow-traveling adjective

Example Sentences

I struck up a conversation with one of my fellow travelers. He was not a member of the Communist Party or even a fellow traveler.
Recent Examples on the Web Veterans wanted to help a fellow veteran, older adults wanted to help a fellow traveler, and indignant SoCalGas customers wanted to blast the utility. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023 Barack Obama’s foreign policies, in Pompeo’s view, made him all but a terrorist fellow traveler. Tim Weiner, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2023 As a fellow traveler of Robert Boyd, and admired by Dan Sperber, none of this is coincidental. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2013 Maren’s early encounters with possible mentors and peers in all matters of taboo cuisine run the gamut from dodgy to creepy, and include a hippiesh fellow traveler named Sully who teaches her a few life hacks in terms of feasting. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2022 Neither did anyone mind her unteachable connection to political royalty, who seemed likelier to agree to a sit-down with a fellow traveler. Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022 Originally destined for Columbus, Ohio, Southwest Airlines 192 made an emergency landing in Little Rock, Arkansas after a passenger allegedly attacked a fellow traveler on the plane. Dan Carson, Chron, 28 Nov. 2022 Newman’s Own certainly sees Patagonia as a fellow traveler, lauding the decision. Benjamin Soskis, Town & Country, 27 Oct. 2022 In case a fellow traveler gets confused about which duffel is his, this cheeky reminder will make sure that everyone goes home with the right bag. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 25 Nov. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

translation of Russian popútčik

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fellow traveler was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near fellow traveler

Cite this Entry

“Fellow traveler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fellow%20traveler. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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