FOLLOWER Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'follower' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of follower are adherent , disciple , and partisan . While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another. // an evangelist and his followers

Q: When might 'adherent' be a better fit than 'follower'?

While in some cases nearly identical to follower , adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment. // adherents to Marxism

Q: When could 'disciple' be used to replace 'follower'?

The words disciple and follower are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master. // disciples of Gandhi

Q: When is it sensible to use 'partisan' instead of 'follower'?

The synonyms partisan and follower are sometimes interchangeable, but partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment. // partisans of the President

follower

noun

ˈfä-lə-wər

Definition of follower next

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another the followers of Gandhi have spread his philosophy of nonviolence all over the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imitator

a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way Brando's Method acting inspired a whole generation of mumbling followers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of follower are adherent, disciple, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

When might adherent be a better fit than follower?

While in some cases nearly identical to follower, adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When could disciple be used to replace follower?

The words disciple and follower are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When is it sensible to use partisan instead of follower?

The synonyms partisan and follower 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 follower And then one of his core followers sold his loyalty to the Jewish leaders for a bag of silver. —

Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Cuban has more than 9 million X followers compared to Musk’s 216.3 million. —

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 Barrera, who starred in the fifth and sixth entries, was fired by Spyglass Media in November 2023 after directing social media followers to donate money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid the Israel-Hamas War. —

J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 Colindres claims that her husband has never been in legal trouble and is a devoted follower of faith. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for follower

Recent Examples of Synonyms for follower

Noun

Another college at risk is Williamsburg Brooklyn’s United Talmudic Seminary, which trains more than 2,000 male adherents to the ultra-orthodox Satmar Hasidic sect in Jewish law and teachings.

— Emma Whitford, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
This minority religious population has faced systematic genocide, with the CCP detaining over one million adherents.

— Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024