as in followers
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
the Flat Earth Society surely doesn't have many adherents
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 adherents
Lawyers for the Satanic Temple argued that these restrictions conflict with the religious practices of its Hoosier adherents.
—
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
The movement had adherents among the student body and on the faculty at the Catholic University in Chiclayo, which has about ten thousand students, and the cathedral boasted an enormous portrait of Josemaria Escrivá, Opus Dei’s sainted founder.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
This year, the 15-day festival begins in February and will be a time for adherents to usher in a new year with a variety of cultural traditions.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Many adherents to the FIRE movement — short for financial independence, retire early — aim to save a large portion of their income in order to build a big enough investment portfolio to withdraw from in perpetuity.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
This meant adherents turned away from theology and instead focused on disparate ideological and political threats.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Excessive entanglement would affect the government's independence and potentially give religious adherents access to government not available to nonbelievers.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
In the eyes of its adherents, and in the messaging of the gun lobby and trade groups, attempts to discredit Lott are really attempts to suppress the truth.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
To symbolize this united centrist front, adherents of The Change fly American flags that have been reconfigured to place the field of stars smack in the middle of the stripes.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
The movement had adherents among the student body and on the faculty at the Catholic University in Chiclayo, which has about ten thousand students, and the cathedral boasted an enormous portrait of Josemaria Escrivá, Opus Dei’s sainted founder.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
This year, the 15-day festival begins in February and will be a time for adherents to usher in a new year with a variety of cultural traditions.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Many adherents to the FIRE movement — short for financial independence, retire early — aim to save a large portion of their income in order to build a big enough investment portfolio to withdraw from in perpetuity.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
This meant adherents turned away from theology and instead focused on disparate ideological and political threats.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Excessive entanglement would affect the government's independence and potentially give religious adherents access to government not available to nonbelievers.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Nov. 2025
In the eyes of its adherents, and in the messaging of the gun lobby and trade groups, attempts to discredit Lott are really attempts to suppress the truth.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
To symbolize this united centrist front, adherents of The Change fly American flags that have been reconfigured to place the field of stars smack in the middle of the stripes.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherents
Noun
-
As her own beliefs begin to take idiosyncratic shape, Lee begins to engage a few followers.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Her followers got a better look at her spacious kitchen's wooden cabinetry and light fixtures behind them.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several teams throughout the league have searched for disciples of the Shanahan scheme to run their offenses, while several are running versions of a defense that Fangio has perfected.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The son of a carpenter, Jesus became a rabbi, later taught disciples and performed miracles.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Reaching new voters Most Democrats accept Texas’ GOP tilt, saying their best chance lies in attracting more younger voters, disaffected nonvoters, teachers, service workers and soft partisans who often skip nonpresidential elections.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans, preferably with inside connections, need apply.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adherents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherents. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share