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
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 If the patient stops taking their medication, the specialty pharmacist is not connected to the prescribing physician and has no way of knowing if the physician stopped prescribing the drug or if the patient is non-adherent. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Noun
In some contexts, adherents to older intellectual traditions pushed back, especially in Poland, where resistance slowed though could not prevent the imposition of ideological control. Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025 Many parents are left feeling helpless—a common experience among pop-parenting adherents. Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • My only experience at that very young age was using organic mastic adhesive.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
  • Old First Aid Supplies Technically, bandages don’t sport an expiration date, but over time, their adhesive parts can dry out and lose their stickiness.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • In these words, Peter, asked by the Master, together with the other disciples, about his faith in him, expressed the patrimony that the Church, through the apostolic succession, has preserved, deepened and handed on for two thousand years.
    Daniel Burke, NPR, 9 May 2025
  • Her inner 12-year-old self, one of the many disciples who adhered to the gospel of Blume, did just that — though Forever was not initially up for option.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The reviews and social conversation were becoming apparent that this had inserted itself into the culture in a really sticky way.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
  • As the Southern heat creeps up more and more, putting together an outfit that’s stylish but doesn’t leave you drenched in sweat or sticky from humidity can be a challenge.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Emilie Kiser has more than three million followers on TikTok and one million followers on Instagram.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The club has four million followers on Instagram — double that of Sunday’s fellow finalists, United — and over 800k followers on TikTok.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Under current Catholic doctrine, only men may become priests, based on the belief that Jesus chose male apostles.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Paprocki said he was struck by Pope Francis’ joy and reflected that the pontiff spoke to Paprocki and the other bishops with him not as a boss, but as a fellow apostle tasked with the same mission all priests have — to passionately advance their faith.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The site, frequented by far-right supporters of the president, has been used to spread conspiracy theories.
    Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The special session, which will begin June 2, will prove challenging for Kehoe and other supporters of a proposal to allow state officials to negotiate public aid packages for new or upgraded stadiums for the two teams that could be worth up to 50% of the project costs.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck to people waving U.S., Peruvian and other national flags, and stopped to bless some babies in the crowd.
    Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • Peruvians remember the young American priest who became pope Prevost, who lived in Peru as a missionary in the 1980s and the 1990s, would have heard about these accounts while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo starting in 2014, especially following the publication of Ugaz and Salinas’ bombshell book.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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