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

Examples 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 This season will include events such as the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is betrayed and arrested, as well as the Last Supper, which is the final meal that Jesus shares with his disciples. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is a disciple of both, having served as the defensive coordinator for John with the Ravens and Jim at Michigan. Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 Photo: Upstate Down A Frank Lloyd Wright Disciple in Wappingers Falls, NY The house featured in this listing photo was designed by a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright. Clio Chang, Curbed, 8 Nov. 2024 In their telling, the fraud blamed on Dorje Chang was, in fact, pulled off by one of his corrupt former disciples. Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disciple 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciple
Noun
  • Cisco Aguilar, Nevada Secretary of State Since winning his 2022 race by a narrow margin against a Trump-backing Big Lie adherent and QAnon sympathizer, Aguilar, a Democrat, has invested $30 million to modernize the state’s voting infrastructure.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
  • At its peak, Christianity in Japan boasted some 500,000 adherents, the majority of them clustered in Nagasaki.
    Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • What was once a casual, foodie account has grown to a platform with more than 75,000 followers.
    Rosalind Bowling, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Musk was quote tweeting a post and video from a young German YouTuber with 300,000 followers who had criticized Friedrich Merz, the man who could be the next chancellor of Germany with its parliament dissolved this week following a no confidence vote.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In the 1960s, Gordon Bunshaft, the high-modernist apostle of SOM, designed an austere wing and enclosed an open courtyard that got little use or affection during Buffalo’s long, hard winters.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 26 Sep. 2024
  • The chapel was meant to house relics of the martyrs and apostles, Rossi said.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • These missionaries are a destabilizing influence in a territory dominated by another version of Christianity, established and spread by the colonizing Belgians, that emphasizes the supremacy of a white Jesus.
    Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
  • But Native numbers began to decline with the arrival of Spanish missionaries, who brought diseases for which Natives had no immunity, including smallpox, malaria and diphtheria.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near disciple

Cite this Entry

“Disciple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciple. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on disciple

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