acolyte

noun

ˈa-kə-ˌlīt How to pronounce acolyte (audio)
Definition of acolytenext
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another a highly influential economist whose acolytes can be found at many major universities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 acolyte Diallo had been an acolyte of Souvi Ould Jibril Ould Cheine, a human rights leader and anti-slavery activist who died in police custody in February 2023. — Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Also figuring prominently in the proceedings is the cleric’s acolyte Alyce (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit), a fictional character representing the many women who took part in the movement. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Baltimore Ravens The bet here is that former Payton acolyte Declan Doyle will be good for Lamar Jackson, and that Jesse Minter will be an instant success as a head coach. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026 When the dazed young woman reels off quotes from an obscure self-help book, her new acolytes take her words as gnomic wisdom. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acolyte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolyte
  1. adherent
  2. follower
  3. disciple
Noun
  • And what's wild is that the Coke drinking habit has another notable adherent.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Since the administration kicked off its anti-AI doomerism social media campaign, taking particular aim at EA and its adherents’ belief that AI carries a high risk of ending humanity—anti-AI sentiment seems to have grown.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of adherent
Noun
  • First was comic and content creator, George Brett Olson, who did a breakdown (watch it below) accusing an AI Instagram account with 300,000 followers of seemingly ripped off his joke word for word.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Other followers focused on the actress's return to television.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of follower
Noun
  • In particular, Greek mathematician-philosopher Pythagoras and his disciples may have associated beans with reincarnation, so some thought eating them was technically an act of cannibalism.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples take part in those pilgrimages.
    — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disciple

Browse Nearby Words

acmes
acolyte
acolytes
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Cite this Entry

“Acolyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolyte. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acolyte

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