as in partisans
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 zealots
Clara Molot talks to the zealots who are holding the line.
—
Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
That title goes to the government of messianic zealots, Arab-hating nationalists and anti-modern ultra-Orthodox Israelis put together by Netanyahu to keep himself in power.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
In rip-roaring zombie sequel, Sir Jimmy Crystal leads a gang of murderous zealots known as the Jimmies.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Then there are the Muslims depicted as religious zealots.
—Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 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
Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
That title goes to the government of messianic zealots, Arab-hating nationalists and anti-modern ultra-Orthodox Israelis put together by Netanyahu to keep himself in power.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
In rip-roaring zombie sequel, Sir Jimmy Crystal leads a gang of murderous zealots known as the Jimmies.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Then there are the Muslims depicted as religious zealots.
—Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealots
Noun
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Disrupting basic services to millions of Americans in such circumstances only makes sense to die-hard partisans.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That was the result of angry partisans taking seriously Trump’s bogus election-fraud claims.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Washington has boosted claims that attacks on Nigerian Christians by militants constitute genocide — a characterization the Nigerian government strongly refutes.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Back then, Israel was battling Palestinian militants.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Anti-porn crusaders of all ilks also hijacked the news of Radvinsky’s passing for their various pro-censorship agendas.—
Gustavo Turner,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the 76-year-old congressman from New York is one of Washington’s few prominent crusaders against the sports-betting industry.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As Los Angeles County activists continue their search for the suspect or suspects who have shot multiple alley cats in South Los Angeles with a BB gun, PETA has offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of bringing the crimes to a stop.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The party was founded in the early 50’s by anti-slavery activists.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said radical religious fanatics leading Iran can’t be trusted with a nuclear weapon after attacking embassies and hotels during the war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Attention discounted shoe shopping fanatics.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zealots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealots. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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