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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Nature fanatics can take part in the weekly garden walk to identify the tropical plants and fruits adorning the property. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 For more than 40 years, the festival that began in 1979 drew an attendance of around 100,000 every year, with foodies, garlic fanatics and famous chefs coming from around the world. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Adjective
As a soccer fanatic and big Netherlands fan, Duncan says this is a dream come true. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 8 June 2026 But in a moment of the director's distress, Kardashian arrives with her soccer-fanatic son, Saint. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 6 June 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
  • For dessert, there’s a delicious coconut cake or, for the chocolate lovers, a fancy sort of s’mores cake.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • That Lane, an animal lover who excels at cracking open crazy stories with humor, heart, and a litany of perspectives, would follow Flaco is no surprise.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Exhibited for the first time outside of Sarajevo, the churning Socialist Realist homage invokes Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People in figuring partisans heroically overcoming their would-be Nazi aggressors.
    — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
  • Reynolds tracks the willingness of northern partisans—Carl Schurz, Horace Greeley, Lyman Trumbull, and even Sumner himself—to abandon that cause by the dwindling references to Jamestown and Plymouth.
    — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of partisan
Adjective
  • The Old Trails Fire – fueled by extreme fire weather conditions – has burned nearly 3,000 acres, Washington State Forester George Geissler said at a news conference Saturday, adding about 4,000 buildings are threatened in the area.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In Montana, the entire east side of the state was under an extreme heat warning Saturday, said weather service meteorologist Jeff Kitsmiller.
    — Tammy Webber, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of extreme
Noun
  • That May 29 email described a lottery system for GMCVB board members, who would have the chance to receive a ticket in a draw that was expected to be popular for World Cup matches attracting soccer fans from around the world.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Chiefs president Mark Donovan is hoping fans who plan to attend a training-camp practice will use the team’s app and turn on notifications.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • In April 2012, a coalition of Tuareg rebel groups under the Coordination of Azawad Movements declared independence and sparked a rebellion alongside Islamic militants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza since the ceasefire.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • More than anything, the reparations movement—despite being marginal for most of my life—is part of the Black radical tradition, and this is my inheritance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • In a season of Cassandras, the most radical thing a citizen can do may also be the most ordinary.
    — James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Definition of radical
Noun
  • However, with a little special attention and care, a plant enthusiast can add some very unique plants to their collection.
    — Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Now, winemakers and enthusiasts are worried about the economic impact on some of the country's finest products, most notably, renowned reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
    — Martina Di Licosa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of enthusiast
Noun
  • Lina Khan, an antitrust crusader who targeted Big Tech companies during her run as head of the Federal Trade Commission, has been named chair of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 July 2026
  • The division is led by Harmeet Dhillon, a Californian and a conservative legal crusader, who made her name bringing legal challenges against many of the state’s institutions and once served as the chair of the San Francisco Republican Party.
    — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of crusader

Browse Nearby Words

fan
fanatic
fanatically
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Cite this Entry

“Fanatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanatic. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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