DISCIPLES Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

disciples

noun

plural of disciple

as in adherents

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another a circle of dedicated disciples who conscientiously wrote down everything the prophet said

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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 disciples 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, 9 Oct. 2026 In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples take part in those pilgrimages. — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 The latter disciples included tribute bands named after Gallagher songs like Continental Op, Crest of a Wave, Edged In Blue, Moonchild, and the Mississippi Sheiks. — Ed Christman, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026 For years, Robert Saleh and his disciples treated Cover 3 like gospel, leaving single-high safeties stranded on an island with a only a playcard and a prayer. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 Earlier that evening during his last supper with his disciples, we are told Jesus himself had fervently prayed. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 If anything, Young worships at the altar of rock ‘n’ roll, the concert an excuse to gather tens of thousands of his disciples for communal love of the ax. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026 As the disciples ponder what to do next, a knock is heard at the door. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciples

Noun

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
When brutal rationalism is challenged, especially by traditionalists, its defenders will often justify themselves by pointing to the intelligence of its adherents.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of adherents

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
The series has nearly 1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of followers

Noun

Despite the church’s efforts, male Catholic bishops whose identities have not been publicly revealed later ordained two of the women as bishops with the aim of preserving the line of succession from Jesus’ apostles to present-day bishops.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Every night, after Jesus died on the cross, my apostles gently helped me down from the chain-link fence to which I had been lashed.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of apostles

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“Disciples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciples. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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