adherent 1 of 2

as in adhesive
tending to adhere to objects upon contact the bandage is made from a mildly adherent fiber

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherent

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adherent different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of adherent are disciple, follower, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than adherent?

Although the words disciple and adherent have much in common, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of adherent?

The meanings of follower and adherent largely overlap; however, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

When is partisan a more appropriate choice than adherent?

The synonyms partisan and adherent are sometimes interchangeable, but partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

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 adherent
Adjective
With dry scalp, the flakes are likely to be whiter and smaller, and, says Dr. Gohara, since it’s not caused by an overabundance of oil, the flakes are not adherent. Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 28 Feb. 2023 If the patient stops taking their medication, the specialty pharmacist is not connected to the prescribing physician and has no way of knowing if the physician stopped prescribing the drug or if the patient is non-adherent. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Noun
Trump supporters who are adherents of the Heritage Foundation’s 900-page Project 2025 policy guidebook backed a proposal to raise the retirement age from 67 to 69. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025 Peter and Paul congregation, founded to provide a religious home for the city’s growing Christian Orthodox adherents after World War II. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • Phone grips have been around for a while, popularized by PopSockets, but the ones in this guide attach via magnets instead of an adhesive or a clamp.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • At the same time, improving the adhesive strips in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Here are the employees, investors and disciples (but not ex-wives) who have gotten rich alongside him.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • During the supper, Judas acted like a loyal disciple of Christ.
    Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The telltale signs range from sticky, clammy skin to having moisture on your windows and walls.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon said rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and widening credit spreads are setting the stage for a wave of financial strain among U.S. companies.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In lieu of discussions of who is best for the role artistically, the question becomes who will sell more tickets (Ivy has 3 million followers but TikTok influencers rally around Chloe) and create a less toxic workplace.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • According to Rolling Stone, the singer’s public profile is one of the eight followers, as well as SZA, producer Michael Uzowuru, singer girlsweetvoiced and audio engineer Sean Matsukawa.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There was speculation that the scene was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting The Last Supper, depicting Jesus’s last meal with the 12 apostles, which in turn sparked claims that the tableau was an insult to the Christian faith.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
  • So just how does an under 30 bro become an apostle of small business networking? Larsen grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and studied entrepreneurship at Boise State.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In a statement posted to X, Taylor congratulated Lee and acknowledged the impact of his supporters.
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Some supporters even lost the will to protest, feeling nothing will change.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Instead of forcing women to accept their message, missionaries encouraged voluntary reform.
    Jenna Deep, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Alfredo Sosa/Staff In 1830, likely seeing it as a means of survival, a Shawnee chief invited a missionary to the reservation to help educate members of his tribe in the ways of white Americans.
    Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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