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
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
Where Musk and his acolytes see speed and efficiency, Democratic lawmakers see corruption.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
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
Where Musk and his acolytes see speed and efficiency, Democratic lawmakers see corruption.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolytes
Noun
-
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
-
Certainly the idea that having a bunch of wealth will prevent you from getting into heaven has been conveniently ignored by many adherents.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In another TikTok video, Kacie gave some dating advice to her followers.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Musk shared the post, bringing it to his audience of over 226 million followers.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
1 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 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share