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

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
Even worse was the Great Chinese Famine of 1959–61, which was brought on by severe mismanagement amid Mao Zedong’s revolutionary zeal.

— Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 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

For King, the film represented an opportunity to not just translate her online charisma into feature acting, but to reclaim some of the power that can disappear when a creator becomes the object of someone else’s obsession.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
The brand hit shelves as consumers’ obsession with protein was kicking into high gear.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of obsession

Noun

But Mamdani’s animating political philosophy is to use government to solve everyday problems in people’s lives.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Even Fierezza’s name is significant, as it was chosen to represent Lamborghini’s engineering prowess, design philosophy, and Italian identity.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of philosophy

Noun

There is always room for Mozart and Haydn, to say nothing for his recent infatuation with Aaron Copland.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
They were first popularized in Georgian England as small tokens of affection, infatuation or mourning, and examples are scattered across major museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of infatuation

Noun

Critics also say the government’s insistence on the male-only succession is an imposition of an inhumane system on the royals without taking into consideration their burden and feelings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
What distinguishes Elix in the crowded wellness landscape is its insistence on both heritage and evidence.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of insistence

Noun

People who report a history of sleep loss that triggers mania are much more likely to develop postpartum psychosis, and a person with a previous experience with postpartum psychosis is more likely to have it again.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Dukes told jurors that Clancy expressed concerns about being addicted to benzodiazepines, but did not show obvious signs of mania or psychosis.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of mania

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“Fanaticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanaticism. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fanaticism

noun

Example Sentences

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