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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for fanaticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanaticism

Noun

Fueled by affection for Gramps, by nostalgia for a childhood steeped in whiskymaking lore, and by a distinct lack of zeal for his law-firm day job, Kevin agrees to drive him the 2,000-odd miles from Arizona.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
But the current efflorescence can perhaps most be credited to the zeal of online communities whose social dynamics encourage avid, savvy viewership.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 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

Head baker Lou Turner (formerly pastry chef at Obelix, a French bistro in the city’s River North) churns out superb pastries that invite obsession.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Neece was raised 15 minutes away from Disneyland and developed an obsession with it early on.

— Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of obsession

Noun

As part of a social study, Manila spent five months interviewing Rodríguez for the philosophy department at the University of Palma de Mallorca.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
That philosophy shows up throughout the entire property, from local artwork and community programming to the restaurants and public spaces that draw neighborhood regulars alongside hotel guests.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of philosophy

Noun

Shinkafi believes a combination of tax holidays, full repatriation of earnings and a non-insistence on part ownership in mining projects makes Nigeria’s mining laws friendly to investors.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Duke visited the hospital for testing at his friend’s insistence.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of insistence

Noun

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious medical emergency characterized by severe, rapid onset psychiatric episodes such as mania, depression, delusions or hallucinations.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion and mania, and taking on activities that might be considered strange.

— Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of mania

Noun

The claim was allowed to stand because it was filed in a civil action outside the scope of church control, meaning that the abstention doctrine did not apply, the appeals court justices wrote.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
But the work-for-hire doctrine reaches only fixed, expressed works.

— Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of doctrine

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“Fanaticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanaticism. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fanaticism

noun

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