FOLLOWER Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'follower' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of follower are adherent , disciple , and partisan . While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another. // an evangelist and his followers

Q: When might 'adherent' be a better fit than 'follower'?

While in some cases nearly identical to follower , adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment. // adherents to Marxism

Q: When could 'disciple' be used to replace 'follower'?

The words disciple and follower are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master. // disciples of Gandhi

Q: When is it sensible to use 'partisan' instead of 'follower'?

The synonyms partisan and follower are sometimes interchangeable, but partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment. // partisans of the President

follower

noun

ˈfä-lə-wər

Definition of follower next

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another the followers of Gandhi have spread his philosophy of nonviolence all over the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imitator

a person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another especially in an obvious way Brando's Method acting inspired a whole generation of mumbling followers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of follower are adherent, disciple, and partisan. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

When might adherent be a better fit than follower?

While in some cases nearly identical to follower, adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When could disciple be used to replace follower?

The words disciple and follower are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When is it sensible to use partisan instead of follower?

The synonyms partisan and follower 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 follower That followed a pattern seen in CBS News analysis of his posts during the campaign season, when Musk frequently shared false narratives about the election and amplified extreme voices from the right-wing fringe to his millions of followers. —

CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024 That’s the work that’s garnered her close to 200,000 followers on Instagram alone. —

Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 Your future followers are already on LinkedIn, scrolling past content that doesn't grab them. —

Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 An authentic post would have been captured and shared at various times by Trudeau’s 6.5 million followers with varying numbers of reposts and likes. —

Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for follower

Recent Examples of Synonyms for follower

Noun

The concerns of modern wellness adherents are no less valid than their 20th-century counterparts.

Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
Thomas Kuhn, in his groundbreaking book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, described a paradigm shift in science as a new understanding of nature that: Is a sufficiently unprecedented theory to attract an enduring group of adherents.

William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024