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
Wiry and wired, Lee, in his almost masochistic willingness to endure pain in service of his cause, calls back to First Reformed’s self-destructive zealot.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
In that vacuum, religious zealots and cults manifest, nihilism thrives, and families are torn apart.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
For weeks, Oasis zealots have devoured online videos of the siblings strolling out onstage together, arms raised in victory and hugs brief yet genuine.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That's just part of what Nikita Bridan says should be a compelling package, even for anti-EV zealots.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zealot
Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
In that vacuum, religious zealots and cults manifest, nihilism thrives, and families are torn apart.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
For weeks, Oasis zealots have devoured online videos of the siblings strolling out onstage together, arms raised in victory and hugs brief yet genuine.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
That's just part of what Nikita Bridan says should be a compelling package, even for anti-EV zealots.
—Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zealot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealot
Noun
-
Reaching new voters Most Democrats accept Texas’ GOP tilt, saying their best chance lies in attracting more younger voters, disaffected nonvoters, teachers, service workers and soft partisans who often skip nonpresidential elections.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The perception is that only like-minded DeSantis partisans, preferably with inside connections, need apply.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After the rapid downfall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida militant who headed one of Syria’s largest anti-government militias, swept into Damascus and consolidated power.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
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The ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians in its count, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For now, privacy crusaders are left to wait.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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The filmmaker’s curiosity piqued on the subject of a religious female crusader at a time when many were immigrating to America for spiritual freedom.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Instagram account encouraged followers to organize against ICE and to submit sightings of immigration officers to the network of activists.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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More than 120,000 people have signed petitions calling for the rapper cum right wing political activist to be deported to her home country of Trinidad.—
Leah Donnella,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Disney and Lucasfilm really went all out with this one, and Star Wars fanatics who aren’t strict purists won't find a better box set right now.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
28 Dec. 2025
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Virginia's capital city has something for every type of traveler—from history lovers and art fanatics to foodies and outdoorsy types.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zealot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealot. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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