variants
also partizans
1
as in adherents
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another
partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in militants
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause
a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sectarians
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices
she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of partisans
Good and bad ideas come from all sides of the political spectrum, and hyper-partisans who don’t understand that are unable to see the full range of options when making public policy.
—
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Motele, whose parents were murdered by the Nazis, escaped into the forest and joined a group of Jewish partisans.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Even the country’s most panicked partisans wouldn’t put money on Comey serving a day in prison for the serious crimes he’s charged with.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Reaching new voters Most Democrats accept Texas’ GOP tilt, saying their best chance lies in attracting more younger voters, disaffected nonvoters, teachers, service workers and soft partisans who often skip nonpresidential elections.
—Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans, preferably with inside connections, need apply.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans need apply — what Askew tried to prevent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Some partisans wondered at the choice.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Brandon predicts those wins could prompt moderate partisans in the House to switch affiliations.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Motele, whose parents were murdered by the Nazis, escaped into the forest and joined a group of Jewish partisans.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Even the country’s most panicked partisans wouldn’t put money on Comey serving a day in prison for the serious crimes he’s charged with.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Reaching new voters Most Democrats accept Texas’ GOP tilt, saying their best chance lies in attracting more younger voters, disaffected nonvoters, teachers, service workers and soft partisans who often skip nonpresidential elections.
—Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans, preferably with inside connections, need apply.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans need apply — what Askew tried to prevent.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Some partisans wondered at the choice.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Brandon predicts those wins could prompt moderate partisans in the House to switch affiliations.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisans
Noun
-
Some soaking adherents tightly gripped iron chains secured to concrete stairs so the fast-rushing flow from the Himalayas wouldn’t fatally sweep them downstream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Its adherents believe that on social media and in other online spaces, only a few real people create posts, comments, and images.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The inquiry commission pointed to comments Herzog made less than a week after Hamas militants killed and kidnapped hundreds of Israelis on October 7, 2023.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants fought a full-scale war in 2024.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The pair leaned in close for a casual selfie, sharing the beach day with her followers.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Since coming to Italy and making their way through the round-robin, around defending Olympic champion Italy in the semis and into the gold-medal game, Dropkin went from 15,000 Instagram followers to 22,000 Thiesse from 10,000 to 12,500.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Last week, Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro ally, announced plans for a general amnesty that could lead to the release of hundreds of opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.—
EGINA GARCIA CANO,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Right Arrow Several female athletes and women's sports activists took aim at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in a Super Bowl-style ad on Saturday.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gyllenhaal already knows this will piss off some traditional literary fanatics, as will other changes in her fantasy reimagining of the beloved monster tale.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Sauna fanatics and newbies are spending time in saunas at local parks, on Great Lakes shorelines and by rivers, in parking lots and neighbors' backyards.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With Mrs Bieber paving the way, expect her disciples to ditch the pilates socks and micro Uggs for a modest three-centimeter heel any day now.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Hippocrates and his disciples did not disbelieve in Asclepius, the god of medicine (or any other god).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To now endure censure by overzealous anti-Pretendian crusaders, and banishment by bureaucratic tribal decrees and reactionary blood-quantum rules, feels particularly bitter.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
For now, privacy crusaders are left to wait.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The rise of unabashed Christian nationalists is their legacy.—
Hillary Rodham Clinton,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And also to warn about bloodshed if civil war follows regime change, bloodshed between nationalists and those who’ve had enough of being tied to a constantly unstable country.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Partisans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisans. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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