apostle

noun

ə-ˈpä-səl How to pronounce apostle (audio)
Definition of apostlenext
as in proponent
a person who actively supports or favors a cause a fervent apostle of universal health care

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 apostle According to the gospels, Jesus traveled here from biblical Galilee, while the apostle Paul established a thriving church here. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026 Seven Mountains has brought the language of spiritual warfare and demon-fighting into the mainstream of evangelicalism, through a network of pastors who view themselves as prophets and apostles engaged in a battle against evil secular forces. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Sheiner also appeared as the apostle James the Elder in George Stevens’ The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and had a meaty turn as Guido Lorenz, cop and partner of Charles Bronson’s Det. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026 Like an Old Testament patriarch whose sins are absorbed in a greater story of redemption, America’s identity as the apostle of liberty relieves it of the excesses of introspection. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for apostle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apostle
  1. proponent
  2. advocate
  3. supporter
  4. exponent
  5. advocator
Noun
  • Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The roadless rule hasn’t prevented wildfire mitigation work, its proponents also say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights.
    — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Fabares was a longtime supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, after her mother was diagnosed with the disease in the early 1990s.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • His mind didn’t go blank; rather, all the what-ifs multiplied like exponents, crowding his thoughts and rendering him unable to envision anything else.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • Often categorized along with Bellow and Bernard Malamud as exponents of a particularly Jewish-American sensibility, all three were additionally masters of the American voice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 June 2026
Definition of exponent
Noun
  • In the leadership and care phase, your role is that of an advocator.
    — Rodney C. Adkins, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Definition of advocator

Browse Nearby Words

a posteriori
apostle
apostles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apostle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apostle. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apostle

Nglish: Translation of apostle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostle

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