DISCIPLES Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

disciples

noun

plural of disciple

as in adherents

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disciples As the disciples ponder what to do next, a knock is heard at the door. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 Ganni disciples might pair a leopard print dresses with chunky sneakers, or puff-sleeve blouses with track pants—both formulas that helped cement it as one of the leading forces behind CPHFW’s street style. — Kelsey Stewart, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 Almost a century after the overthrow of the goddess Akaso and her kinfolk of local deities by the arrival of white missionaries, their disciples were stepping up to root out what was left. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Throughout the Gospels, Jesus initially conceals his identity as the Messiah from even his closest disciples. — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 The Super Bowl champs replaced Kubiak with another one of Shanahan’s disciples. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Back in his coaching career, Cruyff was one of the first managers to be obsessed with the cut of the pitch — a trait that has passed over to his disciples, most notably the exacting Pep Guardiola. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Christian Science teaches that the divine laws of Truth and Life, as demonstrated by Jesus and his disciples, continue to operate today as an eternal, demonstrable Science. — Alistair Budd, Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2026 Hamer signed up and, through her courage, charisma, and oratory, quickly drew ardent disciples and ruthless adversaries. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciples

Noun

Its adherents believe that the relentless pursuit of maximizing individual freedom and rights has come at the cost of community, religion, and traditional norms.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
While these America First adherents preach populism, their closets are full of Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Louboutin, Dior, and plenty of other boldface European names.

— Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of adherents

Noun

Summary An 11-year-old Ontario entrepreneur, Ashton Meyer, transformed his $10 bin cleaning side hustle into a viral success, gaining over 110,000 Instagram followers.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Today, Richards has 790,000 followers on Instagram, a Sunday Times bestselling book (The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset), and wellness community called Found.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of followers

Noun

The ritual confers the Holy Spirit from one bishop to another and recalls Christ’s gesture to his apostles.

— Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Seven Mountains has brought the language of spiritual warfare and demon-fighting into the mainstream of evangelicalism, through a network of pastors who view themselves as prophets and apostles engaged in a battle against evil secular forces.

— Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of apostles

Browse Nearby Words

disciple

disciples

discipleship

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disciples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciples. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of disciples

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes