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

The Project 2025 folks and their adherents in the coming Trump White House don’t want to make Medicaid more efficient, as they claim.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the most common ways for adherents to signal their commitment is to share social media posts with 4B-related hashtags, such as investment tips for women’s financial independence and photographs showcasing happily unmarried lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than pick a moderate to ideologically balance the ticket, Trump opted for a running mate who presented himself as a faithful adherent of the former president’s “America first” ideology.

From Los Angeles Times

The good news is that while three in ten Americans are either Christian nationalism adherents or sympathizers, two-thirds of the country rejects this anti-democratic ideology.

From Salon

Extreme hatred also creates motivational bias, which means adherents can only see evidence that supports their beliefs.

From Salon

Related Words

• backer
• believer
• devotee
• disciple
• enthusiast