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
Or federal legislators could even try again for a work requirement to qualify for Medicaid, a beloved but flawed favorite of Republicans and Project 2025 adherents, as my colleague Michael Hiltzik aptly pointed out not long ago. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 Taylor said Ziz adherents use the rationalist ideology as a reason to commit violence. CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adherent
Adjective
  • Classrooms frequently have adhesive bandages for small cuts and sometimes have ice packs.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • On affected vehicles, the cant rail stainless steel panel may delaminate at the adhesive joint, which may cause the panel to separate from the vehicle.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Among the pieces are two sketches of the 12 apostles (the disciples of Jesus in the New Testament), which Pope Julius II, who commissioned the work, wanted Michelangelo to include in the upper corners of the ceiling, but whose likeness was ultimately scrapped by the artist.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Jesus Christ Superstar follows the personal relationships and struggles among Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Pitchers were becoming too dominant with the sticky stuff.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In lieu of discussions of who is best for the role artistically, the question becomes who will sell more tickets (Ivy has 3 million followers but TikTok influencers rally around Chloe) and create a less toxic workplace.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • According to Rolling Stone, the singer’s public profile is one of the eight followers, as well as SZA, producer Michael Uzowuru, singer girlsweetvoiced and audio engineer Sean Matsukawa.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There was speculation that the scene was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting The Last Supper, depicting Jesus’s last meal with the 12 apostles, which in turn sparked claims that the tableau was an insult to the Christian faith.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
  • So just how does an under 30 bro become an apostle of small business networking? Larsen grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and studied entrepreneurship at Boise State.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • About forty per cent of the graduates of the Army’s infantry officer schools, Peri notes, come from the dati leumi, or nationalist Orthodox minority, many of them extremist yeshiva students and supporters of settlements.
    Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Dozens of Khalil supporters showed up at the New Jersey courtroom, necessitating an overflow room for those who wanted to watch the proceedings.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • All are welcome to join the prayer time every first Monday of the month to lift up missionaries in prayer.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Religion gameplay needs attention, as there’s no way to stop other leaders’ missionaries, leading to unsatisfying back-and-forth conversion gameplay.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adherent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adherent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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