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

But the beauty of the beautiful game is that millions of dollars and people don’t guarantee success, that there’s a difference between a soccer-playing nation and a soccer nation, that passion and culture and fanaticism matter. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

Even after the glow of the Cup has faded, opportunities to plug into Scotland’s football fanaticism will continue. —Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026

Global warming led to international tensions, and a mixture of religious fanaticism and failures in governance gave way to nuclear annihilation. —Ian Stokes, Space.com, 24 May 2026

In Paul’s time, Josephus was a perfect instance of the first kind, a brilliant military leader who, when faced with the fanaticism of his cohorts, chose to shift his allegiance to Rome. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fanaticism

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

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