as in partisan
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause
zealots on both sides of the issue resorted to name-calling and scare tactics
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Recent Examples of zealot
There are many reasons to distrust Netanyahu: his habitual lying; his willingness to prop up his coalition with religious zealots and racists; his brutal, protracted prosecution of the war in Gaza, a strategy that seems motivated in no small measure by a desire to cling to power.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Despite his extensive progressive bona fides, Wertham’s hatred of the comics medium has forever branded him a right-wing zealot in the minds of comic fans.
—Vasilis K. Pozios, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
During his time on Exo III, Korby has become something of a zealot for android technology, and tries to convince Kirk that its implementation could be massively beneficial to the Federation.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 July 2025
Elizabeth was changed into a robe and wed to Mitchell in a pseudo-ceremony performed by the religious zealot himself.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for zealot
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Despite his extensive progressive bona fides, Wertham’s hatred of the comics medium has forever branded him a right-wing zealot in the minds of comic fans.
—Vasilis K. Pozios, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
During his time on Exo III, Korby has become something of a zealot for android technology, and tries to convince Kirk that its implementation could be massively beneficial to the Federation.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 July 2025
Elizabeth was changed into a robe and wed to Mitchell in a pseudo-ceremony performed by the religious zealot himself.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for zealot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealot
Noun
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The bottom line: partisans may spin the price of gasoline, but the true story lies in the global interplay of supply, demand, and investment.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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While there’s no indication the data has been rigged (assertions from the White House aside) – or will be rigged in the future – the White House’s nomination of a partisan to lead the government’s economic data agency was enough to worry global economic and financial circles.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In October 2024, two Hamas militants opened fire on a popular boulevard in southern Tel Aviv, killing seven people.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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The October 7 attacks nearly two years ago were the most significant to date, with hundreds of militants crossing the border amid a barrage of nearly 5,000 projectiles.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Today’s moral crusaders assume an elementary cause-and-effect relationship between books and readers.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
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Now, over three years later, the series is back to continue the adventures of the masked crusader.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The lawyer, activist, and University of California, Los Angeles professor heads the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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Nearly a year after being removed from Lincoln Heights' village council over a tax dispute, a leading community activist has had his seat restored by a state appeals court.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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He was rewarded with fame, fanatics, and a few awards.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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Watching these Eagles linebackers was a treat for football fanatics — and stunning for fans who’ve seen the Eagles linebackers for much of the past decade.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zealot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealot. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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