ZEALOT Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

zealot

noun

ˈze-lət

Definition of zealot

as in partisan

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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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 zealot Bo-Katan explains the Mandalorians who raised Din and taught him to never show his face are religious zealots known as the Children of the Watch, who broke from Mandalorian society. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 May 2026 The software, known as Model Capability Initiative, or MCI, suddenly turned people across the company into privacy zealots, a legal staffer says. — Paresh Dave, Wired News, 14 May 2026 Garrett says the new protocols acknowledge that academic institutions have the responsibility to take steps for the safety of their researchers and protect them from potentially dangerous interactions with conspiracy theorists and other reactionary zealots. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026 March 13, 2026 For Gen Z neophytes and hardcore fans overseas (South Asian and Nigerian Mike zealots apparently have a lot to say on the matter), the idea of MJ/Prince ever being a rivalry is laughable. — Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zealot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealot

Noun

Reynolds tracks the willingness of northern partisans—Carl Schurz, Horace Greeley, Lyman Trumbull, and even Sumner himself—to abandon that cause by the dwindling references to Jamestown and Plymouth.

— James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Meanwhile, partisans continued to spar over dozens of Republican bills that would allow voters to lower property taxes for homeowners by raising sales taxes on everyone.

— David Wickert, AJC.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of partisan

Noun

The country is also home to several minority groups that have clashed with regime forces in the past, including Kurdish militants, Arab and Baloch separatists, among others.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Since overthrowing the Assad dynasty and taking power in a lightning insurgency in December 2024, Syria’s new rulers have cracked down on militants from the extremist Islamic State group in an attempt to thwart attacks in and around the capital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of militant

Noun

Gardner’s Big Slick co-host and fellow Chiefs fanatic, Eric Stonestreet and his wife, Lindsay, attended.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
For basketball fanatic Adam Sandler, there was no better way to shake off the pre-wedding jitters than shooting some hoops.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026

Definition of fanatic

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zeal

zealot

zealotry

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

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Synonyms of zealot

noun

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