DISCIPLE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disciple

noun

di-ˈsī-pəl

Definition of disciple next

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another a circle of dedicated disciples who conscientiously wrote down everything the prophet said

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Sometimes the Supper at Emmaus, when Christ met two disciples after his resurrection, was depicted showing the disciples as contemporary pilgrims. —

Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2025 Glenn, a disciple of Parcells and Payton, has been labeled a culture-builder—a coach who gets players to buy into and influence the organization. —

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025 The 2024 college football season may prove to be the high point for Notre Dame’s big-time Christian college football disciples. —

Hunter M. Hampton / Made By History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 And the incoming Trump administration is stuffed with right-wing tech doyens, including the Peter Thiel disciple J.D. —

T.m. Brown, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disciple

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciple

Noun

Another college at risk is Williamsburg Brooklyn’s United Talmudic Seminary, which trains more than 2,000 male adherents to the ultra-orthodox Satmar Hasidic sect in Jewish law and teachings.

— Emma Whitford, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
This minority religious population has faced systematic genocide, with the CCP detaining over one million adherents.

— Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024