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
The deep dive into the Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein director, who will turn 100 in June, features interviews with collaborators and acolytes like Rob Reiner and Judd Apatow, who recount his spectacular rise to fame and enormous influence.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolyte
Noun
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Tied heavily to the moon's phases, the Lunar New Year has commenced this week as adherents usher in the Year of the Horse with a variety of cultural traditions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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For its adherents, the sport always boils down to calculations of risk.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Thousands of followers were drawn to the saint by his charisma, his evangelical zeal and his commitment to poverty and charity.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
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The couple owns two golden retriever therapy dogs, Ellie and Emma, who are internet sensations with millions of followers.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The only difference is former Packers executive Ron Wolf and his disciples did a better job identifying talents such as Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love while the best quarterbacks Miami landed during that exact same stretch were Chad Henne, Ryan Tannehill and Tagovailoa.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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And the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant Tetedoie offers the cooking of Christian Tetedoie (a Paul Bocuse disciple) alongside its thrilling views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolyte. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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