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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of acolytes
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
DaCosta likens the actions of Jimmy and his acolytes to those of Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his soldiers, who turned to enslaving and raping women in the wake of society's collapse in the first movie.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
The deep dive into the Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein director, who will turn 100 in June, features interviews with collaborators and acolytes like Rob Reiner and Judd Apatow, who recount his spectacular rise to fame and enormous influence.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
That the first 28 Years Later ended its somber meditation on grief with a scene of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his acolytes doing Power Rangers moves on a horde of the infected suggested that the next movie would be a more lighthearted affair.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Pettigrew, one of Voldemort’s creepy acolytes, is revealed to be magically hiding in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers for most of the book.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Trump’s acolytes and enablers have adopted this line, seemingly as a matter of reflex.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
Voters rejected Maduro and his acolytes in July 2024, with close to 70 percent of the vote going to González, and indirectly Machado.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The event was co-opted as a starring vehicle for the president with acolytes as co-stars.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Will Carless, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
DaCosta likens the actions of Jimmy and his acolytes to those of Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and his soldiers, who turned to enslaving and raping women in the wake of society's collapse in the first movie.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
The deep dive into the Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein director, who will turn 100 in June, features interviews with collaborators and acolytes like Rob Reiner and Judd Apatow, who recount his spectacular rise to fame and enormous influence.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
That the first 28 Years Later ended its somber meditation on grief with a scene of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his acolytes doing Power Rangers moves on a horde of the infected suggested that the next movie would be a more lighthearted affair.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Pettigrew, one of Voldemort’s creepy acolytes, is revealed to be magically hiding in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers for most of the book.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Trump’s acolytes and enablers have adopted this line, seemingly as a matter of reflex.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
Voters rejected Maduro and his acolytes in July 2024, with close to 70 percent of the vote going to González, and indirectly Machado.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The event was co-opted as a starring vehicle for the president with acolytes as co-stars.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acolytes
Noun
-
Some soaking adherents tightly gripped iron chains secured to concrete stairs so the fast-rushing flow from the Himalayas wouldn’t fatally sweep them downstream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Its adherents believe that on social media and in other online spaces, only a few real people create posts, comments, and images.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The pair leaned in close for a casual selfie, sharing the beach day with her followers.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Since coming to Italy and making their way through the round-robin, around defending Olympic champion Italy in the semis and into the gold-medal game, Dropkin went from 15,000 Instagram followers to 22,000 Thiesse from 10,000 to 12,500.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With Mrs Bieber paving the way, expect her disciples to ditch the pilates socks and micro Uggs for a modest three-centimeter heel any day now.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Hippocrates and his disciples did not disbelieve in Asclepius, the god of medicine (or any other god).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acolytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acolytes. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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