fanaticism

noun

fa·​nat·​i·​cism fə-ˈna-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

: fanatic outlook or behavior

Examples of fanaticism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As teased previously, there's a thin line between fighting for the greater good and religious fanaticism in the name of peace. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Grande was Wen’s latest target, but there seems to be an additional layer of delusion and fanaticism that fueled this particular encounter. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

Some of this slashing and burning can be explained by the old-fashioned small-government fanaticism of administration personnel like Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. —Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

Hate or fanaticism can end a life in an instant, hundreds of yards from the victim. —Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fanaticism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Medical Definition

fanaticism

noun

fa·​nat·​i·​cism fə-ˈnat-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

: fanatic outlook or behavior especially as exhibited by excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and extravagant notions on some subject