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

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 follower In the latest iteration of Bill Ackman's activist investing career, the billionaire hedge fund manager is using the power of his 1.5 million followers on X to try to influence one man in particular: Donald Trump. —

Felix Salmon, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025 His followers on Instagram include Ivanka Trump and Joe Rogan What Matthew Livelsberger Manifesto Said The email publicized on Ryan's podcast has not yet been officially confirmed. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 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 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 See all Example Sentences for follower

Recent Examples of Synonyms for follower

Noun

Politics has a way of consuming its adherents and turning them into screaming Muppets without the entertainment value.

Brenda Looper, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Better, like the Deep Adaptation adherents, to dedicate themselves to accepting their fate.

Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2024