PARTISAN Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'partisan' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent , disciple , and follower . While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment. // partisans of the President

Q: When could 'adherent' be used to replace 'partisan'?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment. // adherents to Marxism

Q: When might 'disciple' be a better fit than 'partisan'?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master. // disciples of Gandhi

Q: When can 'follower' be used instead of 'partisan'?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another. // an evangelist and his followers

partisan 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of partisan next

as in partial

inclined to favor one side over another a shamelessly partisan reporter covering the primary campaign

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

partisan

2 of 2

noun

ˈpär-tə-zən

variants also partizan

as in adherent

one who follows the opinions or teachings of another partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crusader

one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sectarian

one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of partisan

Adjective

However, shortly after her election and before starting her term as a congresswoman, she was pulled into the partisan fray. —

Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024 Assuming partisan discord doesn't make these images a thing of the past, presidential photographers might need wider lenses on their cameras before long. —

Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

Dog racing had numerous enemies, including horse racing partisans who viewed it as low-class, animal welfare advocates who worried about the dogs’ wellbeing, and small businessmen who wanted bettors to spend their money at their establishments instead. —

Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 17 Nov. 2024 Equally noteworthy will be the geography of the partisans. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for partisan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan

Adjective

Ode to Lucy’s Pelvis Adrienne Gruber O wondrous one, your bipedal swag, terrestrial locomotion, partial appendages revealed, brain a soft sponge, size of an acorn, still waiting for that growth spurt 3.2 million years later.

Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025
And a partial wall, which may have been destroyed in the past or simply started and never finished, would bring the total fortified area to around 80 hectares.

Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025