Synonym Chooser

How is the word disciple different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of disciple are adherent, follower, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

Where would adherent be a reasonable alternative to disciple?

Although the words adherent and disciple have much in common, adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

In what contexts can follower take the place of disciple?

While the synonyms follower and disciple are close in meaning, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

When can partisan be used instead of disciple?

The synonyms partisan and disciple 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 disciple His disciple Marc Benioff, who runs sales management software company Salesforce, has done the opposite, and now Benioff, 60, is worth about $10 billion. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025 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 These Birdman-disciples are severe kill-joys who consider women merely vessels for heirs. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disciple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciple
Noun
  • Bankman-Fried was another EA adherent who donated hundreds of millions of dollars to causes, including AI governance research, that aligned with EA’s philanthropic priorities.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Every brand chases clicks, followers and fleeting visibility.
    Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps livestreaming a joke would resonate enough for people to tip or become a follower.
    Lavender Au, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nelson served as an apostle beginning in 1984 and became the church's leader in 2018.
    Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • By long-standing practice, the most senior apostle then becomes the next church president.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Maybe not for the straight women on these couches who are only engaging in three to eight minutes of missionary and then turning the light out, but there are all sorts of things people can do to pleasure each other.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The story of two mismatched missionaries spreading the gospel won nine Tony Awards in 2011, including for best musical.
    Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disciple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciple. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disciple

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