ZEALOTS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

zealots

noun

plural of zealot

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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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 zealots His mother had belonged to the Irgun, the Jewish underground that fought British rule before Israel’s founding, but his parents were, by all accounts, not ideological zealots. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Democrats looking for a way to reclaim their party can find inspiration in the career of Neil Kinnock, who in the mid-1980s rescued the British Labour Party from a determined band of sectarian zealots. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 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 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 apocalyptic religious zealots who ran the Iranian police state were on the verge of complete construction of a nuclear bomb. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 Clara Molot talks to the zealots who are holding the line. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealots

Noun

But the clean provenance and their New York highlife has never appeased Pooh partisans who think Fifth Avenue is much too far from the Hundred Acre Wood.

— STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Overwhelming shares of partisans support their party’s candidates – 98% of Democratic likely voters and 96% of Republican likely voters each support their party candidates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of partisans

Noun

Pakistan is currently conducting multiple operations against militants near the Afghan border.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Adding to regional worries, Yemen's Houthi militants claimed responsibility on Monday for strikes targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, the Shaybah oilfield and airports in Riyadh and Abha.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of militants

Noun

The book is full of stories of villains, like the venomous heroin that took so many of Seattle’s crusaders as well as the music industry that never quite understood where Soundgarden belonged.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026
The facility remains popular among anti-immigrant crusaders, and Attorney General Uthmeier’s campaign store sells Alligator Alcatraz bumper stickers, T-shirts, and caps.

— Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026

Definition of crusaders

Noun

Opposition activists have accused Venezuela's government of blocking Machado's return, a claim denied by Venezuelan authorities.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Unions and progressive Catholic activists joined forces at the time to form the Workers' Party, which Lula has now represented in seven presidential elections.

— Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of activists

Noun

The blueprint included the recruitment of mercenaries and exploiting the grievances of disaffected citizens, from religious fanatics and extremists to soccer fans.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
While Musk fanatics expressed their excitement on social media, the Roadster isn't likely to have any material financial impact on the company.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fanatics

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zealotry

zealots

zealous

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“Zealots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealots. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of zealots

noun

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