as in followers
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
the Flat Earth Society surely doesn't have many adherents
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Recent Examples of adherents
He’d been struck that the Milwaukee branch of the adherents to his cause were forever boasting about their superior sanitation systems.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
TikTok obsessives, wellness-culture adherents, and misinformation junkies all end up in need of care.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Finally, some adherents to the rocks-in-the-bottom-of-pots philosophy claim that those pieces help by keeping potting mix from falling through the pot’s drain holes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
Since then, Human Rights Watch asserted, the authorities have demolished hundreds of church buildings or the crosses atop them, prevented adherents from gathering in unofficial churches, restricted access to the Bible, and confiscated religious materials not authorized by the government.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Buddhists often celebrate Vesak with processions, by visiting temples, meditating and through acts of fasting, while adherents in India may immerse themselves in the river Ganga to wash away their sins.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The restrictions subdued Lent, Passover and Ramadan celebrations for many in some of the holiest sites for adherents of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
And adherents of each religion want their church to be the dominant one.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Leftism thus constitutes an ongoing search for new causes to fight on behalf of, in a way that mobilizes adherents and creates solidarity among them.
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
TikTok obsessives, wellness-culture adherents, and misinformation junkies all end up in need of care.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Finally, some adherents to the rocks-in-the-bottom-of-pots philosophy claim that those pieces help by keeping potting mix from falling through the pot’s drain holes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
Since then, Human Rights Watch asserted, the authorities have demolished hundreds of church buildings or the crosses atop them, prevented adherents from gathering in unofficial churches, restricted access to the Bible, and confiscated religious materials not authorized by the government.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Buddhists often celebrate Vesak with processions, by visiting temples, meditating and through acts of fasting, while adherents in India may immerse themselves in the river Ganga to wash away their sins.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The restrictions subdued Lent, Passover and Ramadan celebrations for many in some of the holiest sites for adherents of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
And adherents of each religion want their church to be the dominant one.
—George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Leftism thus constitutes an ongoing search for new causes to fight on behalf of, in a way that mobilizes adherents and creates solidarity among them.
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherents
Noun
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Despite a massive group of followers cascading down and surrounding the royal couple, one beachgoer went viral after she couldn't be bothered to dismiss the UV index for the day.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Reese Witherspoon went viral last week — nearly five million views on Instagram and countless more when her comments were shared across platforms — for suggesting that her followers embrace and learn how to use artificial intelligence.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Just imagine singing along with a club full of other disciples.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
15 Apr. 2026
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In Rome, Leo washed the feet of others, as the story of the Last Supper records Jesus doing for his disciples.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s a reason why strident partisans like Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton and progressives Tom Steyer and Katie Porter have consistently placed high in the polls, while moderates like Becerra, his frenemy Antonio Villaraigosa and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan have lagged.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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The map of states that offer the highest-quality public preschool programs would surprise some partisans.—
Moriah Balingit,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adherents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherents. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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