as in adherents
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
a highly influential economist whose acolytes can be found at many major universities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acolytes
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
Surrounding him were acolytes who tinkered with his outfit.
—Literary Hub, 13 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
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
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
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
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Surrounding him were acolytes who tinkered with his outfit.
—Literary Hub, 13 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolytes
Noun
-
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
-
Successful outreach requires making effort to understand how religious adherents think, acknowledging their concerns, and humbly recognizing that medical knowledge is shaped by more than mere empiricism.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Around the time the account hit 50,000 followers, Van der Velden announced that several talent agents were interested in representing Tilly.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Lighthouse Studios’ first major effort is a partnership with director and creator Cole Bennett’s Lyrical Lemonade digital media venture that has more than 24 million YouTube followers.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The collection prominently features bones and teeth purported to have come from the bodies of the Buddha, his relatives and disciples.—
Deepa Bharath,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The collection prominently features bones and teeth believed to have come from the bodies of the Buddha, his relatives and disciples.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolytes. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
