partisan 1 of 2

partisan

2 of 2

noun

variants also partizan
1
2
3
as in sectarian
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

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 partisan
Adjective
This partisan kinship can lead attorneys to overlook serious red flags that outsiders would easily spot. Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025 Virginia Republicans are focused on what works, not partisan theatrics. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
Both sides have long had partisans in both America and Europe. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025 Is Polis a statesman or a partisan? Mike Davis, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • This partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
    Walk On, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Many employers were in partial compliance with the PUMP Act, by having either a private lactation space or a written policy, but not both.
    Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But after making an initial splash in 2009 thanks to high-profile adherents like marathon star Paula Radcliffe, the first wave of high-quality studies supported the idea that beet juice really does improve endurance.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In some contexts, adherents to older intellectual traditions pushed back, especially in Poland, where resistance slowed though could not prevent the imposition of ideological control.
    Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most of the congressional Republicans have signed a no-taxes pledge from anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform group, even as others signal some interest.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Think of it as Bannon on the one side, versus Newt Gingrich, anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist and others on the other — a debate that once seemed unfathomable for Republicans who have spent generations working to lower taxes and reduce the scope of the federal government.
    Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
  • Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
    Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
  • Trump’s aggressive targeting of major law firms, many of which have advocated liberal policy positions and clients, also marks a striking new front in his second-term legal battles, as the administration pressures firms seen as politically hostile or unwilling to back its agenda.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
  • Russia will accrue enormous economic benefits if the United States facilitates its reentry into the world economy, generating revenue that will go directly to rebuilding its military, funding hostile intelligence operations and propping up a regime that’s never far from its next military adventure.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Creators with under 50K followers had more trust than celebrity influencers, the study found.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Over the past year, McShain shared glimpses into her life with over 200,000 followers across major social media platforms.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Quebec nationalists believe that at the right time and under the right circumstances, a third referendum will be the charm.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In 1950, two Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire on Blair House, where President Harry Truman lived during the White House's renovation.
    Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The constant consumption showcased on social media represents a distorted reality.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 May 2025
  • Other creations focused on pushing the sliders in the character generator to the extreme, with heavily distorted features and proportions.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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