as in partisans
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 zealots
For weeks, Oasis zealots have devoured online videos of the siblings strolling out onstage together, arms raised in victory and hugs brief yet genuine.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That's just part of what Nikita Bridan says should be a compelling package, even for anti-EV zealots.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
Instead, a group of Jewish zealots burned the city’s storehouses in order to force the population to fight rather than wait out or appease their adversaries.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That's just part of what Nikita Bridan says should be a compelling package, even for anti-EV zealots.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
Instead, a group of Jewish zealots burned the city’s storehouses in order to force the population to fight rather than wait out or appease their adversaries.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealots
Noun
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The cumulative effect is a Congress dominated by out-of-touch partisans more focused on tearing down the other side than governing and addressing the complicated problems facing citizens and the nation.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Do people in your field think that the partisan, toxic atmosphere in the country could be motivating these attacks, even if the shooters themselves aren’t clear partisans attacking someone from the opposing party?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 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
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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
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Today’s moral crusaders assume an elementary cause-and-effect relationship between books and readers.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As The Independent noted, if such a category is adopted by the FBI, it could be applied to rhetoric used by activists, writers, and allies speaking out against anti-trans policies and rhetoric.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
19 Sep. 2025
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Preaching the gospel of revolution, activists mobilized peasants and workers (and to a lesser degree, women) to rebel against inequality and exploitation.—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Although Supernatural wrapped in 2020, fanatics of the series still have plenty to be excited about.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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But he is mentioned many, many times as a pair of LeBron fanatics – Clevelanders, like playwright Rajiv Joseph – build a deep friendship around LeBron and what his comings and goings mean them and to the community around them.—
David Lyman,
The Enquirer,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zealots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealots. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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