FANATICISM Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

fanaticism

noun

Definition of fanaticism

as in zeal

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Dissimilar Words

as in dogmatism

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Example 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 fanaticism Global warming led to international tensions, and a mixture of religious fanaticism and failures in governance gave way to nuclear annihilation. — Ian Stokes, Space.com, 24 May 2026 As much as an institutional critique, Szpila has given us a parable on the dangers of fanaticism and the necessity of radicalism, and the obvious parallel between the rigidity of belief systems. — Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 What Project 2025 describes as fanaticism is, in fact, the implementation of policies advocated by Nordhaus and other mainstream economists. — Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Even OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, the current darlings of generative-AI fanaticism, will become subdued if their firms survive. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fanaticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanaticism

Noun

Yet from No Child Left Behind through the push for the Common Core into today’s zeal for science of reading, policy leaders are frustrated that the version of policy that occurs in the classroom does not match their vision.

— Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
As Prime Minister, Howard—a lifelong conservative who has lived abroad once, campaigning for the Tories in London—was known for having an almost schoolboy zeal for the job.

— Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of zeal

Noun

When authenticity becomes uncompromising, candor turns belligerent, consistency becomes rigid, or principled decision-making morphs into dogmatism, even the best intentions can backfire.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
By staying so close to black metal’s core sound, Marchenko does more to undermine the dogmatism—both racial and aesthetic—of Vikernes and his ilk than a more obviously experimental project might.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of dogmatism

Noun

David Senra turned his obsession with studying great entrepreneurs into the podcast series Founders.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 2026
My latest obsession is Trader Joe’s new Spicy Pink Salt with Crushed Red Chili Pepper, which sells for only $2, and is admittedly easy to miss when roaming down the spice aisle.

— Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 6 July 2026

Definition of obsession

Noun

Every detail is intentional and meant to feel personal from the moment a guest arrives—a philosophy that extends to the neighboring winery as well.

— Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Perhaps no car better illustrates that philosophy than the 1987 Sbarro Alcador, an experimental speedster based on Ferrari Testarossa mechanicals.

— Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of philosophy

Noun

Friendship was a tender, absurd depiction of a one-sided, quasi-platonic infatuation.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026
Additionally, evidence pointed to Rinderknecht’s infatuation with Luigi Mangione, the suspect facing two state cases and one federal prosecution tied to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026

Definition of infatuation

Noun

In the majority’s view, this must be read broadly to achieve the declaration’s insistence on rights and equality.

— Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Steve Tew, district attorney for Ouachita and Morehouse parishes, has never wavered in his insistence that Duncan was guilty of murder and that he should be put to death.

— Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 29 June 2026

Definition of insistence

Noun

This past month, when the entire city was in the grip of basketball mania, my eyes have felt newly refreshed by the abundance of royal blue and traffic-cone orange on the streets.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
The Knicks were actually good, breaking a 53-year-drought by winning the NBA championship and inspiring acts of passion and mania across the city.

— Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026

Definition of mania

Noun

Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Deployment and engagement decisions, however, will remain under human control and within existing doctrine and legal frameworks.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Definition of doctrine

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“Fanaticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanaticism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fanaticism

noun

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