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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acolytes
The center will host on-campus incubators, and provide avenues for mentorship—perhaps bringing the likes of Nara Smith into closer contact with her acolytes.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
The sequences of Ann and her acolytes singing and dancing to remixed Shaker hymns are transcendent, capturing the completeness of their devotion.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
The first were Black blues guitar acolytes, including Buddy Guy and Albert King.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Ann and her acolytes journey to America to find more followers—a portion of the tale that feels more adrift but then finds its footing, largely thanks to another musical interlude.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Some acolytes have even gotten tattoos of the studio’s logo.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Andreessen would agree with Abundance acolytes that the first step is to eliminate unnecessary regulation.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Often imitated but never duplicated, this show’s universal influence has stood the test of time more than any other title on this list and continues to be reinterpreted and reinvented for both new fans and older acolytes.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The second night, the Manson acolytes killed Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary in similar fashion, leaving bloody ominous messages on walls and over doorways.
—TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
The sequences of Ann and her acolytes singing and dancing to remixed Shaker hymns are transcendent, capturing the completeness of their devotion.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
The first were Black blues guitar acolytes, including Buddy Guy and Albert King.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Ann and her acolytes journey to America to find more followers—a portion of the tale that feels more adrift but then finds its footing, largely thanks to another musical interlude.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Some acolytes have even gotten tattoos of the studio’s logo.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Andreessen would agree with Abundance acolytes that the first step is to eliminate unnecessary regulation.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Often imitated but never duplicated, this show’s universal influence has stood the test of time more than any other title on this list and continues to be reinterpreted and reinvented for both new fans and older acolytes.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The second night, the Manson acolytes killed Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary in similar fashion, leaving bloody ominous messages on walls and over doorways.
—TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolytes
Noun
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To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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But together a picture emerges of a long-standing movement eager to stop anyone who attacks a principle or personality its adherents hold dear.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Stella Parton, country superstar Dolly Parton's younger sister, is calling on her famous sibling's fans and followers to stop the madness.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Oct. 2025
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In the comments, followers jokingly defended Duke — who now has over 160,000 followers on his Instagram @lifewithduke2025 — and his adorable quirks.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His disciples picked up the mantle, even though those same forces wanted to kill them, too.—
Amy Stephens,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Domènec Sugrañes, one of Gaudí’s disciples, was named the site’s next architect.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acolytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolytes. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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