as in adherents
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
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Recent Examples of acolytes
The song is an anthem for a lot of young musical-theater acolytes.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately for both the president himself and his acolytes who bought into the coin, though, it’s been on a downward trajectory that mirrors their dear leader’s approval ratings ever since.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
There had always been a few Kennedy acolytes hanging around the block, Dean says, but that number has ballooned since Ryan Murphy’s Love Story premiered in February.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith has never been the indefatigable champion of free enterprise imagined by his acolytes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
This spring is an exciting season for acolytes of contemporary art, because two of New York’s most important recurring survey shows will align, giving viewers a chance to engage with a broad swath of new work.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Two of the Senate candidates drawing the most enthusiasm from the left—Platner in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan—are Sanders acolytes.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In casting his acolytes, Del Toro seeks the alchemy that only human minds and hands can accomplish building tangible worlds.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately for both the president himself and his acolytes who bought into the coin, though, it’s been on a downward trajectory that mirrors their dear leader’s approval ratings ever since.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
There had always been a few Kennedy acolytes hanging around the block, Dean says, but that number has ballooned since Ryan Murphy’s Love Story premiered in February.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith has never been the indefatigable champion of free enterprise imagined by his acolytes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
This spring is an exciting season for acolytes of contemporary art, because two of New York’s most important recurring survey shows will align, giving viewers a chance to engage with a broad swath of new work.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Two of the Senate candidates drawing the most enthusiasm from the left—Platner in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan—are Sanders acolytes.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
In casting his acolytes, Del Toro seeks the alchemy that only human minds and hands can accomplish building tangible worlds.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolytes
Noun
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Leftism thus constitutes an ongoing search for new causes to fight on behalf of, in a way that mobilizes adherents and creates solidarity among them.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Both romantic trends have adherents who spin their retreat from status quo romance as a kind of liberation from modern expectations, and who position their marital arrangement as the logical extension of a deeper political project.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That makes sense, given she's used to broadcasting snippets of her life to her more than 7 million TikTok followers and nearly 4 million on Instagram.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lifestyle influencer and DadToker Mortensen has become a social media influencer, with about 830,000 followers on TikTok and 290,000 followers on Instagram.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, marking the institution of Holy Communion and the washing of feet, symbolizing humility and service, according to the Presbyterian Church.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Last Supper with his disciples.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolytes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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