FANATICISM Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

fanaticism

noun

Definition of fanaticism

as in zeal

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Dissimilar Words

as in dogmatism

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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 fanaticism 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 What Project 2025 describes as fanaticism is, in fact, the implementation of policies advocated by Nordhaus and other mainstream economists. — Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Even OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, the current darlings of generative-AI fanaticism, will become subdued if their firms survive. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for fanaticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanaticism

Noun

Still, that has not meant Trump has any less zeal for this 2020 rabbit hole.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026
For more than 90 years, Beatrice Lumpkin brought a zeal for fairness and a fierce desire to protect working-class employees to her civil rights and workers’ rights activism.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of zeal

Noun

When authenticity becomes uncompromising, candor turns belligerent, consistency becomes rigid, or principled decision-making morphs into dogmatism, even the best intentions can backfire.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
By staying so close to black metal’s core sound, Marchenko does more to undermine the dogmatism—both racial and aesthetic—of Vikernes and his ilk than a more obviously experimental project might.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of dogmatism

Noun

Student-athletes may have to adjust to a new coach, a new culture, new expectations and sometimes a completely different philosophy.

— Timothy Baghurst, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Their philosophy is to create design-forward retreats across the Mediterranean, combining the natural surroundings and heritage of each property with high-end service and amenities.

— Jonathan Samuels, TheWeek, 17 July 2026

Definition of philosophy

Noun

The trial laid out the details of Colt’s tumultuous childhood, mental health problems and infatuation with school shooters.

— Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
In anticipation of the birth of his son, Ferguson had kicked a nagging heroin habit, trading his addiction to drugs for an infatuation with activism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of infatuation

Noun

Vague language in the MoU sought to disguise irreconcilable differences between the US demand – supported by much of the international community – for freedom of navigation in and out of the Gulf, and Iran’s insistence on managing shipping.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
This insistence on the primacy of IMAX can send the message that there’s only one true way to see the movie.

— Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of insistence

Noun

Running that corner of the internet is the SIE crew, who have been dropping ghostly sub-10-minute EPs semi-regularly that really dial in on their hushed mania.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
As World Cup mania reaches its peak ahead of Sunday’s final match between Spain and Argentina, everyone seems to be a soccer fan.

— Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026

Definition of mania

Noun

Far from being a resolution to moving past trauma, Stevens said, the forgive-and-forget doctrine likely harms victims more.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 July 2026
So Sheikh Hamad's doctrine may outlast him, but only if optionality becomes operational resilience rather than a portfolio of relationships on paper.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of doctrine

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“Fanaticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanaticism. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fanaticism

noun

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