partisan 1 of 2

partisan

2 of 2

noun

variants also partizan
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2
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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
Unlike previous legislative efforts that stumbled over partisan divides or technical incoherence, the GENIUS Act passed with bipartisan support. Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 On this question, a massive partisan divide emerged. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Noun
Though the central bank’s partisans will claim in breathy tones that the Fed’s thinking and decisions aren’t compromised by the tawdry politics that so many associate with Washington, the reality is quite different. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Trump and his partisans have raged against these orders, many of them issued by individual district judges in deep-blue districts on very short time frames. The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • This is why President Trump’s reaction to the commitment by NATO members at their recent summit to more than double their defense-spending target is welcome, even if a partial opt-out for Spain is not.
    The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2025
  • While a partial Trump win on nationwide injunctions, challenges can continue.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • All this is part of the larger belief that only adherents belonging to religious traditions that arose in the Indian subcontinent are authentically Indian.
    ASHLEY J. TELLIS, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
  • The overall growth in the world’s Jewish population did not increase their proportion of the world’s religious adherents because of the much faster growth in other populations.
    Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Anti-pornography crusaders are on a winning streak.
    Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 22 June 2025
  • Created in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, the celebrated Krak is considered the epitome of a crusader castle in the Middle East and one of the greatest statements of medieval military architecture.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 June 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
  • Guzman’s book was used as a common reader by several universities in 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns about the often hostile, partisan gaps that have roiled many campuses in recent years.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In the five years since the events of Jurassic World Dominion, many of the dinosaurs and other formerly extinct creatures that were set free into the world have died off, unable to survive in the modern climate and otherwise hostile environments.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • What began as an intimate connection with fans has ballooned to 7.5 million followers between Instagram and TikTok.
    Xian Horn, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Jussie Smollett proposed to boyfriend Jabari Redd this weekend, bringing the good news to his followers via social media.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • In the 1960s, Canada’s nationalists feared America’s power—its military strength, yes, but also its cultural cohesion—and wanted to form a corresponding Canadian identity.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
  • Hegseth’s membership in a church that belongs to the CREC drew attention because prominent members of the church identify as Christian nationalists, and because of its positions on issues concerning gender, sexuality and the separation of church and state.
    Samuel Perry, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Humans are better than computers at deciphering letters and words; early CAPTCHAs displayed an image of distorted text, which the viewer had to type correctly to proceed.
    Alan Burdick, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • For me, balancing family and the creative lifestyle and more, time is definitely about distorted moments.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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