fanatic 1 of 2

noun

fə-ˈna-tik How to pronounce fanatic (audio)
Definition of fanaticnext
1
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something football fanatics are pretty much booked up for weekends from Labor Day to Super Bowl Sunday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in partisan
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause once he joined the movement, he became a fanatic

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fanatic

2 of 2

adjective

fə-ˈna-ti-kəl How to pronounce fanatic (audio)
variants or fanatical
as in extreme
being very far from the center of public opinion because of her fanatical views, her friends know better than to try to discuss the issues with her

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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 fanatic
Noun
As for enduring monuments, Elvis fanatics have Graceland, Beatles obsessives have Abbey Road, but Dolly? — Carlye Wisel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Just not as much as the callous bosses who created this indefensible, toxic situation and the fanatics who once cheered it. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Loftis, played by Matthew Rhys, is a figure of quietly fanatical secularism and non-ghost-ism. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 There is a fanatical element among those who want to ban horse carriages. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fanatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanatic
  1. lover
  2. partisan
  3. extreme
  4. fan
  5. militant
  6. radical
  7. enthusiast
  8. crusader
Noun
  • This is maybe one that a true pickle lover looking to experiment would really enjoy.
    — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • At the same time, in my experience, younger viewers today are far better film lovers than older ones.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Harald paid tribute to the Norwegian partisans who had fought alongside the Soviets during World War II, helping to restore the memory of a segment of the population that had long been marginalized in the official narrative of the war.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This week’s Pollwatcher answers a reader’s question about how polls select respondents and highlights how partisans in one state have flipped on a Democratic senator.
    — Scott Clement, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of partisan
Adjective
  • Overdosing on the drug can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma and possible death.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In the Rocky Mountains, years of extreme heat and drought have baked the landscape, drying up streams that feed the Colorado River and desiccating pastures where cattle graze.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of extreme
Noun
  • The effect of inaction is especially acute among committed fans, as shown by Knight Foundation polling last year.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This week the reader taking part is Ade, a Forest fan from Nottingham.
    — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • Its interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qa’eda militant who led the rebel offensive that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has been struggling to rebuild a nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Pakistani security forces killed 48 militants in a series of raids on hideouts in the country's restive southwest over the past 72 hours, the military said Friday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Although his party is known for its pro-Russian and anti-immigration positions and other radical stances, Siegmund has avoided making extreme statements and presents himself as a man of the people.
    — Geir Moulson, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Cho herself prepared by consulting the late master of the form, Frederick Wiseman, who was unabashed about the tension between documentary filmaking’s often radical politics and the privilege required to turn it into a profession.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of radical
Noun
  • And while that contest ended well more than a decade ago, this hasn’t stopped Lu and other crypto enthusiasts from trying to factor the remaining uncracked numbers, including RSA-260.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026
  • So when Trader Joe’s dropped a similar formula at a fraction of the cost, skincare enthusiasts went into a bit of a frenzy.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of enthusiast
Noun
  • Steinem became known not as a crusader for women but as a former bunny.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trump impeachment crusader scores upset in Oklahoma Senate race.
    — , FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of crusader

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Cite this Entry

“Fanatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanatic. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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