fanaticism

noun

fa·​nat·​i·​cism fə-ˈna-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce fanaticism (audio)
: fanatic outlook or behavior

Examples of fanaticism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As just one egregious example of what must be fixed, Europe cannot accept anti-Israel fanaticism and Jew hatred in its cities then shrug helplessly in surprise, as if its funding of anti-Israel NGOs and welcoming millions of unvetted immigrants had nothing to do with it. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 So do leaders whose notoriety is based on abnormal or distorted preferences, such as ones associated with fanaticism or extremism. Roseanne McManus, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2025 There’s something about Bruce Springsteen that breeds a certain kind of fanaticism. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 As the moon and Mars clash, passion mutates into fanaticism. USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fanaticism

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fanaticism was in 1652

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Cite this Entry

“Fanaticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fanaticism. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

fanaticism

noun
fa·​nat·​i·​cism fə-ˈnat-ə-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce fanaticism (audio)
: fanatic outlook or behavior especially as exhibited by excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and extravagant notions on some subject
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