as in fervent
feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc.; filled with zeal
zealous fans She was one of the president's most zealous supporters. The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.
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Recent Examples of zealous
Since joining the bench, many of Trump’s judges and especially his justices have behaved as zealous advocates for the Republican Party and its causes.
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Ian Millhiser, Vox, 25 Sep. 2024
The agencies, always zealous about protecting their sources and methods, prefer to talk as little as possible, and as vaguely as possible.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Tanton was also drawing closer to Jared Taylor, whose writings about the superiority of white people had earned him a zealous following.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
Following an altercation—one that a 911 dispatcher urged the overly zealous neighborhood watchman to avoid—Martin lay on the ground, shot dead by a single bullet that traversed his heart and lung.
—Cedric Dark, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zealous 
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 25 Sep. 2024
The agencies, always zealous about protecting their sources and methods, prefer to talk as little as possible, and as vaguely as possible.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Tanton was also drawing closer to Jared Taylor, whose writings about the superiority of white people had earned him a zealous following.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
Following an altercation—one that a 911 dispatcher urged the overly zealous neighborhood watchman to avoid—Martin lay on the ground, shot dead by a single bullet that traversed his heart and lung.
—Cedric Dark, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealous
Adjective
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At the heart of President Carter’s public service was his fervent commitment to honoring the spark of divinity within every person.Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
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Ricketts had been a fervent fan of the team while receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Chicago and rooted heavily for Sosa in his captivating home run duel with McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998.Phil Rogers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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An ideal scenario would see an enthusiastic new owner facilitate the building of a soccer-specific stadium in Vancouver.Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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Its official reception in the Soviet Union, however, was less enthusiastic due to Solzhenitsyn’s argument that the gulag system was not just an aberration under Stalin, but embedded deep in the rotting core of Soviet ideology.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Since joining Donald Trump‘s inner circle, Elon Musk has increasingly flexed his political muscle, aggravating some of the president-elect’s most ardent supporters and increasing concerns over the high-profile billionaire’s growing influence.Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Dec. 2024
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Fandom for murder isn’t new either — the Columbine shooters, who murdered 13 people, have an ardent following.Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yamada focuses her work on culture, identity and politics, and is passionate about using her lens to connect with people, share their stories and make a meaningful impact in their communities.Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
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Her passionate speech about the dangers of undervaluing yourself gives her a huge leg up in the Oscar race for Best Actress.Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Zealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealous. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
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