zealot

one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause zealots on both sides of the issue resorted to name-calling and scare tactics Synonyms crusader, fanatic, ideologue (also idealogue), militant, partisan (also partizan), red hot, true believer Related Words activist; dreamer, idealist, visionary; cultist, disciple, follower, hanger-on, idolizer, votary; addict, aficionado (also afficionado), buff, bug, devotee, enthusiast, fan, fancier, fiend, fool, freak, habitué (also habitue), head, hound, junkie (also junky), lover, maniac, maven (also mavin), nut, sucker; advocate, apostle, backer, champion, evangelist, patron, promoter, stalwart, supporter; booster, rooter, well-wisher; faddist Near Antonyms dabbler, dilettante Antonyms nonmilitant