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

Examples 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 The people of Israel welcome Jesus as king while his disciples anticipate his crowning. Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 Nov. 2024 Chapter 2 depicts an event called the Pentecost, when disciples of Jesus were gathered together. Dara Delgado, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024 Dana Holgorsen: The Leach disciple spent 13 years in charge at West Virginia and Houston. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024 His disciple, Bill Belichick, rode this philosophy of not making big mistakes to six Super Bowl rings. Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disciple 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciple
Noun
  • Politics has a way of consuming its adherents and turning them into screaming Muppets without the entertainment value.
    Brenda Looper, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Better, like the Deep Adaptation adherents, to dedicate themselves to accepting their fate.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The creator industry works because of the relationships that are built between creators and their followers.
    Rodney Mason, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Posts no longer appear in followers’ timelines instantly, and posts with links are shown less, like service alerts with links for more details, agency officials said in a statement.
    Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Erastus Snow was an apostle from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in charge of Arizona colonization.
    Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The other day, The Athletic’s Duncan Alexander — an analytics apostle if ever there was one — got talking with a data denier in a pub.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Around that same time, Priscilla Baltimore and Bishop William Paul Quinn, an African Methodist Episcopal missionary, established the town’s AME church, which along with a Baptist church and a number of homes, served as stops in the Underground Railroad.
    Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025
  • But the two young missionaries are then forced to prove their faith by becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Reed.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near disciple

Cite this Entry

“Disciple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciple. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disciple

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