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
Constantine, adopting the faith as an expansive gesture, was shocked by the vengeful fervor of his new adherents. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Isn't the point of ritual sacrifice for it to be performed in front of adherents to the religion as a twisted bonding experience and proof of faith in the higher power? Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • Old First Aid Supplies Technically, bandages don’t sport an expiration date, but over time, their adhesive parts can dry out and lose their stickiness.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
  • There is a significant opportunity to break that cycle by leveraging robotic assembly, digital adhesive technology, and automation to build a smarter, cleaner system from the ground up.
    Cam Myers, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Gaudium et Spes, 22), finally appearing to his disciples after the resurrection with his glorious body.
    Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
  • Friedman, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple, was head of the UC Berkeley School of Architecture at the time the house was built.
    Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the U.S. central bank are meeting Tuesday and Wednesday, trying to chart a path where the U.S. can avoid both a recession and sticky inflation.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 May 2025
  • Relevance is a particularly sticky word, one that lacks nuance.
    Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Emilie Kiser has more than three million followers on TikTok and one million followers on Instagram.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The club has four million followers on Instagram — double that of Sunday’s fellow finalists, United — and over 800k followers on TikTok.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Image Image Throughout, Bob, as his American friends still call him, or Roberto, as his Spanish and Italian ones do, has remained consistently low-key, a gray man in a world of outsized personalities cloaked in sumptuous scarlet cassocks, an earnest admin of the apostles.
    Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Like those of other popes, Francis' ring has an image of St. Peter the apostle and Francis' own name.
    George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As of Wednesday, nearly 11,500 people, including current students, alumni, faculty and HBCU supporters nationwide, signed a petition opposing Johnson’s appointment, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • Goodison is the only stadium in the world to have a church in one of its corners, and St Luke’s remains a vibrant meeting point for supporters on matchday.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The order is largely dedicated to serving the poor and has served as missionaries throughout history, per its official website.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • Prevost, a longtime missionary and member of the Augustinian religious order, made his first appearance on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday wearing the traditional red cape of the papacy.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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