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
This partisan kinship can lead attorneys to overlook serious red flags that outsiders would easily spot. Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025 Virginia Republicans are focused on what works, not partisan theatrics. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
Both sides have long had partisans in both America and Europe. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025 Is Polis a statesman or a partisan? Mike Davis, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • Many employers were in partial compliance with the PUMP Act, by having either a private lactation space or a written policy, but not both.
    Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
    Walk On, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But after making an initial splash in 2009 thanks to high-profile adherents like marathon star Paula Radcliffe, the first wave of high-quality studies supported the idea that beet juice really does improve endurance.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In some contexts, adherents to older intellectual traditions pushed back, especially in Poland, where resistance slowed though could not prevent the imposition of ideological control.
    Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most Marvel Cinematic Universe fans will be unfamiliar with this nefarious dark alter ego of the mysterious crusader called Sentry, who is essentially Marvel Comics' psychotic version of DC Comics' Superman.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Now, those advisers are gone, replaced by Mr. Musk and a crew of far-right crusaders who are cheering him.
    Peter Baker, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
  • 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
  • John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.
    Stephen S. Hall, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.
    Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Creators with under 50K followers had more trust than celebrity influencers, the study found.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Last summer, beauty label Charlotte Tilbury partnered with Purdue, who counts over 51,500 followers on Instagram and 32,000 on TikTok, on video content showing off the products the runner uses in her routine.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Sectarian clashes erupted in the central city of Nagpur last month, with hardline Hindu nationalists calling for the demolition of his tomb, which is about 400 kilometers away.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Musk continues to be one of the most consequential people in government, and Bannon and other nationalists continue to hold sway over a White House that is cracking down on immigrants.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • State House districts are so distorted that GOP candidates won 45% of the total vote for the Illinois House of Representatives in 2024 and just 34% of the seats.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Over the years, the natural geography of the Hertz map became distorted as it was redesigned to present more information and make system transfers clearer.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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