Adherents

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who are committed to and actively promote a particular philosophy or doctrine
2. Members who uphold and advocate for specific beliefs or religious teachings within a community
3. People who consistently support or follow the principles, ideas, or leader of a movement or group

Etymology: "Adherents" is the plural of "adherent," and the singular noun comes from Latin "adhaerēns," the present participle of "adhaerēre," meaning "to stick to" or "to cling." The sense of a person who clings to a cause is built directly into the word's physical root: someone who adheres is literally stuck fast to something. The word reached English through Old French "adherent," which carried the same clinging sense before it crossed the Channel. In Middle English it was used of people attached to a party, leader or doctrine, so the metaphor of physical attachment shifted naturally into loyalty to a belief. The plural form simply names a group of such people bound to the same creed or community.

Synonyms: supporters, followers, devotees, advocates, believers

Antonyms: opponents, critics, detractors, enemies, disbelievers