as in partisan
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause
zealots on both sides of the issue resorted to name-calling and scare tactics
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Recent Examples of zealot
That title goes to the government of messianic zealots, Arab-hating nationalists and anti-modern ultra-Orthodox Israelis put together by Netanyahu to keep himself in power.
—
Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
His detractors call him a zealot.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There is no denying that Friend was a religious zealot who had some very extreme ideas (which will be explored in this book).
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zealot
Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
His detractors call him a zealot.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There is no denying that Friend was a religious zealot who had some very extreme ideas (which will be explored in this book).
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zealot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealot
Noun
-
Disrupting basic services to millions of Americans in such circumstances only makes sense to die-hard partisans.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That was the result of angry partisans taking seriously Trump’s bogus election-fraud claims.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes that have killed Hezbollah militants.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Through gestures big and small, Bruce Friedrich conforms to the archetype of a lifelong anti-meat crusader.—
Andrew Zaleski,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2026
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Anti-porn crusaders of all ilks also hijacked the news of Radvinsky’s passing for their various pro-censorship agendas.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The meeting opened with a public comment period where several residents and activists chided Snelling and the Police Department and accused them of aiding and defending federal immigration authorities during the monthslong enforcement effort.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Where Days of Ash consisted primarily of songs dedicated to activists who died, including Renée Good and Palestinian No Other Land documentary consultant Awdah Hathaleen, Easter Lily tackles more directly personal territory.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
So, that’s something for football fanatics, hoops heads and soccer aficionados.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said radical religious fanatics leading Iran can’t be trusted with a nuclear weapon after attacking embassies and hotels during the war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zealot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealot. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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