Synonym Chooser

How is the word disciple different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of disciple are adherent, follower, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

Where would adherent be a reasonable alternative to disciple?

Although the words adherent and disciple have much in common, adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

In what contexts can follower take the place of disciple?

While the synonyms follower and disciple are close in meaning, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

When can partisan be used instead of disciple?

The synonyms partisan and disciple 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 disciple Attorneys for Coleman only have until Feb. 18 to agree to a treatment plan for the QAnon disciple, per court documents reviewed by PEOPLE. Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025 Something so impossible happened that his disciples were completely changed and declared that this dead one was now alive again. Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Pep Guardiola will lock horns with his old disciple Enzo Maresca on Saturday night, a rematch which will be fought in very different circumstances to last summer’s season opener. Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 Morita tried to take off his master’s head with a sword, but made a botch of it; another disciple had to finish the job. Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disciple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciple
Noun
  • Trump has routinely demanded that his adherents, family or not, state that black is white.
    Jon Allsop, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But many also cited or were adherents of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In the digital age, growing popularity translates to more Instagram followers — 853,000 for Shelton — and dreamy TikTok montages of him.
    Brendan Le, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Chatter among sneakerheads about the shoes not only vaulted Under Armour into fifth place, Curry announced in an Instagram story to his 58 million followers that the shoes would be rereleased in limited quantities in the days following the Academy Awards.
    Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 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
  • Constructed above the tomb of Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles, the altar is considered one of the holiest sites in Christianity.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There were even some splits between missionaries and their sponsor churches stateside, where many congregants were attracted to Mr. Trump’s vow to give Christians power in his administration.
    Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Gad originated the role of Elder Cunningham alongside Andrew Rannells' Elder Price in a satiric look at two young missionaries' misguided attempts to spread the gospel in a small Ugandan village.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disciple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciple. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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