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
Its adherents numbered in the tens of thousands in 2018 and surged to millions by 2020. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025 She was born in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, and left Russia with many other adherents of Hasidism on the famous escape trains to Poland. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • Zoox also uses robots for specific tasks on the floor like applying adhesive for glass installation and transporting the robotaxi from station to station down the assembly line.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 June 2025
  • Last year, during Design Week, Davide Groppi unveiled Endless, an adhesive, conductive strip that can be applied to any kind of surface.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Like all of the work by this disciple of Mexico’s most famous architect, Luis Barragán, the design is always focused on one particular concern: the human experience of inhabiting spaces.
    Katia Contreras, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025
  • The season will highlight pivotal moments, including the Last Supper (Jesus’ final meal with His disciples) and the Garden of Gethsemane, where He is betrayed and then arrested.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • With their sticky bodies, hammerhead worms may get stuck to pet fur, but the worms will not irritate their skin, Morgan-Olvera added.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • Leave out the nasty heat and sticky humidity with an air conditioner that will work in a tent.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The club’s Instagram account has 12 million followers, and most of its players have more than a million followers, led by Trezeguet by 9.7 million.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
  • Emily Kim, 34, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, or Em Doodles to her followers, expertly taps into this trend, and has blown up on TikTok for her hilarious and sometimes suspiciously accurate influencer baby name predictions.
    Sophie Liza Cannon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Twelve apostles, 12 days of Christmas, 12 Angry Men—Henry Fonda, great guy, right?
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2025
  • Biblical tradition holds that the Cenacle — a room on the upper floor of a Jerusalem building historically believed to stand above King David’s tomb — is where Jesus shared the Last Supper with his apostles before being crucified.
    Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most days, she was joined by a varied group of supporters—family, friends, parliamentarians, NGO representatives, and advocates from across the globe.
    Margaret Busby June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • That announcement came amid growing concerns from some of the president's most vocal supporters, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and former Trump senior adviser Steve Bannon.
    Leila Fadel, NPR, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Broadway San Diego presents the national touring production of this comedy musical about a pair of bumbling missionaries who get creative when their recruiting efforts in Africa fall flat.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025
  • The hula was forever changed with the arrival of foreigners, and in particular the arrival of Christian missionaries, whose influence led to a brief ban of public performances in the 1830s.
    Sara Kehaulani Goo, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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