adherent

USAGE SUMMARY

'adherent' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who strongly supports a particular belief or course of action. Example sentence: The presidential candidate has a strong base of devoted adherents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But important as the wavering devo-max adherent is to the campaign, the middle million also includes some of Scotland's most disengaged voters.

The Guardian

We have been the strongest adherent that we need strong sanctions in Europe and we've pushed for those, achieved those and held on to those at every single occasion.

The Guardian

THE suicide-bomb that was set off on May 21st in the heart of Sana'a, Yemen's capital, by an adherent of a branch of al-Qaeda, killing more than 100 soldiers and injuring several hundred more, epitomised the country's continuing insecurity.

The Economist

Accordingly, every authority responding to his rampage from George Casey to Rick Perry to Janet Napolitano to Barack Obama has warned against jumping to conclusions about the gunman's motivations and, later, warned that no one should judge an entire religion by the actions of one adherent.

The Economist

The elder Fukuda promised South-East Asia that Japan would never again wage war, but instead do everything to build mutual respect and confidence in the region.The son is an equally staunch adherent of what quickly came to be called the Fukuda doctrine, and it will show in his foreign policy, if politics allow him long enough to pursue one.

The Economist

Partly, membership was a matter of choice: you could opt for chauvinism inside the matrix and become a pan-Slavist fan of the tsar; or a pan-German adherent of Berlin; or you could escape altogether by "going French".History provided Mitteleuropa with a backdrop: the Holy Roman, German, Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires.

The Economist

At times, it seems as though he's debating children, like a modern astronomer arguing with an adherent of a Ptolemaic solar system.

The Economist

And in the Middle East, rampaging Islamists are committing mass murder to impose a caliphate run according to the rules of the Koran.Mr Kissinger is often presented as an arch-realist: an adherent of the supposedly sophisticated idea that foreign policy is purely about power and interests, and that values and morals are for the feeble-minded.

The Economist

He is a passionate and lifelong adherent of socialism, Catholicism, Scotland and Glasgow's Celtic football team.

The Economist

"Be like the tree which, when battered by stones, drops its finest fruit," he said.His most prominent adherent, President Muhammad Morsi, has certainly proven resilient.

The Economist

However one feels about the economic impact of wars, that conclusion ought to lead an adherent to argue loud and long for quite ambitious government support for technological research.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adherent", ensure the context clearly indicates what the person or thing is adhering to. For example, "an adherent of sustainable practices" is more specific than simply "an adherent".

Common error

Avoid confusing "adherent", which describes a person who supports a belief or cause, with "adhesive", which describes something that sticks to a surface. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adherent" is typically as a noun, referring to a person who supports a particular party, person, or set of ideas. It can also function as an adjective, meaning sticking or clinging. Ludwig provides examples showcasing both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adherent" is a versatile word with both noun and adjective forms. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The primary meaning refers to someone who supports a particular belief or cause, while the adjective form describes something that sticks or clings. The word appears frequently in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While "adherent" is often interchangeable with words like "supporter" or "follower", it's important to choose the synonym that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid confusion with "adhesive". Use "adherent of" when referring to beliefs or philosophies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporter

Focuses on actively backing or promoting something.

follower

Implies someone who trails behind or adheres to a leader or ideology.

believer

Emphasizes faith or conviction in something.

devotee

Suggests deep dedication and enthusiasm.

disciple

Implies learning and following the teachings of a mentor.

advocate

Focuses on publicly supporting or recommending a cause.

upholder

Highlights the act of maintaining or defending a principle.

partisan

Suggests strong allegiance to a particular party or cause, often with bias.

admirer

Focuses on appreciating or thinking highly of someone or something.

zealot

Implies excessive or fanatical devotion.

FAQs

How is "adherent" typically used in a sentence?

"Adherent" is usually used to describe someone who supports a particular belief, cause, or person. For example, "He is a staunch adherent of environmental conservation".

What words can I use instead of "adherent"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "supporter", "follower", or "believer".

Is it correct to say "adherent to" or "adherent of"?

While both can be used, "adherent of" is more common and generally preferred when referring to beliefs or philosophies. "Adherent to" can be used to describe something that sticks or clings to something else, although it's less common.

What's the difference between "adherent" and "advocate"?

While both terms describe someone who supports something, an "advocate" typically takes a more active role in promoting or defending a cause, whereas an "adherent" may simply believe in it.