partisan 1 of 2

partisan

2 of 2

noun

variants also partizan
1
2
3
as in sectarian
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of partisan
Adjective
In MacCallum’s case, the anchor had a bigger footprint on Fox during the presidential election and may be viewed as one of the least partisan voices on the channel. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025 Top Senate and House Democratic appropriators released statements against the CR, arguing that the process has been partisan and Republicans have failed to come to the negotiating table. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Republicans, meanwhile, have characterized Duggan as a kind of Democratic wolf in an independent sheep's clothing who may have abandoned his party label but is a partisan at heart. Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025 The bottom line: partisans may spin the price of gasoline, but the true story lies in the global interplay of supply, demand, and investment. Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • In sports, the team generally sets ticket prices, featuring season-long packages, partial season packages and single-game rates—the last of which can vary based on the quality of the game being played.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Remember, attempting to view a partial solar eclipse with the naked eye can lead to immediate and permanent loss of vision.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The ideologies of antifa adherents are based on various left-wing causes, including communism, anarchism and socialism, while many also support environmentalism, the rights of indigenous populations and LGBTQ+ rights.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Those on the diet had an average gum pocket depth of 2.83 mm while the lowest adherents had average pocket depths of 3.29 mm.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Underwood is not a regulator or a public-health crusader.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Student protesters named Nepal’s former chief justice and longtime anti-corruption crusader Sushila Karki as the country’s caretaker prime minister Friday, following deadly anti-corruption demonstrations that toppled the government.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Iraqi prime minister at the time, Nuri al-Maliki, was a Shiite sectarian with close ties to Iran, and many of his fellow Shia thought he could be relied on to listen to Iran’s wishes and find a way to avoid clashing with an Iranian proxy militia.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
    Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
  • The team's away record is also impressive, with two wins and one draw, showcasing its ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • More than thirty signs referencing racial discrimination and the hostile attitudes of white people to those who were formerly enslaved will come down or be partially covered.
    News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her authenticity and beauty content attracted millions of followers and high-profile brand partnerships.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Employers increasingly wonder whether campuses are cultivating independent thinkers or just cautious followers.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under military guidelines, told The Associated Press that about 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants remain in Gaza City, along with a network of tunnels.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Israeli military estimates there are up to 3,000 Hamas militants in Gaza City, a military official said Tuesday, but the tiny number underscores the nearly impossible task facing the IDF, comprising less than 1% of the local population.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Colonial repression and factionalism divided nationalists and left them fighting bitterly over who were the true heirs to the March First Movement.
    Kornel Chang September 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
  • To call someone a Zionist as an insult is as strange as attacking someone for being a Ghanaian or Chinese nationalist.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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