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
DaCosta likens the actions of Jimmy and his acolytes to those of Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his soldiers, who turned to enslaving and raping women in the wake of society's collapse in the first movie.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
That the first 28 Years Later ended its somber meditation on grief with a scene of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his acolytes doing Power Rangers moves on a horde of the infected suggested that the next movie would be a more lighthearted affair.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Pettigrew, one of Voldemort’s creepy acolytes, is revealed to be magically hiding in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers for most of the book.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Trump’s acolytes and enablers have adopted this line, seemingly as a matter of reflex.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
That the first 28 Years Later ended its somber meditation on grief with a scene of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his acolytes doing Power Rangers moves on a horde of the infected suggested that the next movie would be a more lighthearted affair.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Pettigrew, one of Voldemort’s creepy acolytes, is revealed to be magically hiding in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers for most of the book.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Trump’s acolytes and enablers have adopted this line, seemingly as a matter of reflex.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolyte
Noun
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Angel City was launched in Culver City in 1997 by Michael Bowe, an early adherent of the craft beer movement.—
Richard Guzman,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Some soaking adherents tightly gripped iron chains secured to concrete stairs so the fast-rushing flow from the Himalayas wouldn’t fatally sweep them downstream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The pair leaned in close for a casual selfie, sharing the beach day with her followers.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The couple became fan-favorites on Love Island, and followers have become very invested in seeing their relationship succeed.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There’s one splashingly gory sequence, when Maria (Matilda De Angelis), Dracula’s first disciple, goes demon and gets decapitated and staked-through-the-heart.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
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With Mrs Bieber paving the way, expect her disciples to ditch the pilates socks and micro Uggs for a modest three-centimeter heel any day now.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolyte. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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