adherent

[ ad-heer-uhnt, -her- ]

noun

1. a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc.; supporter; follower.

   Synonyms: fan, devotee, disciple

adjective

1. sticking; clinging; adhering:

   an adherent substance.

2. bound by contract or other formal agreement:

   the nations adherent to the Geneva Convention.

3. Biology. adnate.
4. Grammar. standing before and modifying a noun; attributive.

adherent

/ ədˈhɪərənt /

noun

1. usually foll by of a supporter or follower

adjective

1. sticking, holding fast, or attached

Other Words From

• ad·herent·ly adverb
• nonad·herent adjective noun
• pread·herent adjective
• pread·herent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of adherent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin adhērent-, from Latin adhaerent-, stem of adhaerēns “sticking to,” present participle of adhaerēre “to stick to”; equivalent to adhere + -ent

Synonym Study

See follower.

Example Sentences

As recently as last year, Greene had been an open adherent of the QAnon ideology, a sprawling and violent web of false claims that played a role in inspiring the Capitol attack.

From Washington Post

His former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, also became perhaps its most high-profile adherent.

From Washington Post

She is a QAnon adherent in the most obvious sense that her approach to reality echoes the movement’s.

From Washington Post

He then made a jokey remark about being an adherent of the “simulation hypothesis”.

From TechCrunch

She spent $211,000 to advertise on Parler, the social media site that attracted adherents to QAnon, according to Federal Election Commission records.

From Washington Post

But the Brotherhood proved a less-than-stalwart adherent to Hamas's agenda.

From The Daily Beast

Twenty-five percent of Americans believe that Obama is an adherent of Islam.

From The Daily Beast

This callous skin is even adherent to the bones, against which it is continually pressed by the weight of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Sulla, throughout his whole life, was a consistent adherent of the extreme oligarchical party.

From Project Gutenberg

Reuben had another adherent who was also acting on his behalf.

From Project Gutenberg

An adherent coating may be obtained by adding an alkaline tartrate, but in that case the separation takes place too slowly.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Felsburg was distinguished for being a rigid adherent to the ritualistic laws of her people.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backer
• believer
• devotee
• disciple
• enthusiast