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
Researchers separated out a group of patients who took their medication for at least a full 120 days, to make sure the difference couldn’t be chalked up to one group being more adherent than the other. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 22 May 2024 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
Noun
But, in contrast to some adherents who seemed to be channelling nostalgia for a bygone era, her relationship to the style was complicated—part satire, part reckoning with her evangelical upbringing. Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025 Agents described him as an adherent of accelerationism, which seeks to provoke a race war through violence. Aram Roston, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • Constructed from shatter-resistant plastic with adhesive rubber feet to attach to the bottom, the drawers are suitable for organizing just about anything, including cosmetics, snacks, pet food and treats, trinkets, laundry essentials, index cards, and more.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Winocour does better with some of the specifics, like the red adhesive biopsy strips placed around Maxine’s breasts, mirroring the patterning tape on mannequins in the workshop.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Over 20 years, Belichick disciples became prone to treating players as disposable assets instead of human beings they are supposed to both employ and empower.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The list of actors playing Jesus and his disciples includes Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin and Dave Thomas, plus musical director Paul Shaffer, all of whom would go on to have renowned careers on stage and screen.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • According to San Angelo, some signs of a dirty microwave filter include if they are discolored, sticky, and/or sometimes smell like grease.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sapodilla, a pear-like fruit that looks like a coconut, adds a malty butterscotch intensity to a sticky toffee pudding.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With 254,000 followers on Instagram, Bambi is well-loved by her online community—something that gives her owner joy.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The mother-daughter business, which boasts more than 17,000 Instagram followers, began in 2024 when Sara Janusik thought of starting a mobile coffee shop.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For Byrne, an apostle of euphoria, all this giddiness seems fitting.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The 9th-century monastery rises from the plateau—its stone walls etched with faded medieval frescoes of apostles and Last Judgement scenes.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Participants are currently gathering pledges from friends and supporters.
    Nate Heinold, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Fields had plenty of supporters in the locker room and even on the staff.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To be sure, Grey’s novel is a literary protest against the mistreatment of American Indians by the federal government and Christian missionaries, and his original denouement is a little more complicated.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Now, the Franciscan missionaries oppressing the Native Americans in the painting had arrows piercing their heads and bodies.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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