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 Continue reading … POWER RECLAIMED — Congress moves to unshackle states from California's ‘climate zealots’. — FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealots

Noun

Harald paid tribute to the Norwegian partisans who had fought alongside the Soviets during World War II, helping to restore the memory of a segment of the population that had long been marginalized in the official narrative of the war.

— Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
This week’s Pollwatcher answers a reader’s question about how polls select respondents and highlights how partisans in one state have flipped on a Democratic senator.

— Scott Clement, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of partisans

Noun

Earlier this year, affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State both carried out attacks on the civilian airport and military airbase, contributing to initial suspicion that militants could have been behind the assault on the capital.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Jihadi militants had on two occasions this year attacked the airport, a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 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

For years, its players and agents and team officials and fans have argued that its professional athletes are, by their very existence, activists.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
An art installation by the Guerilla Girls, anonymous artist activists, invited fans to air their grievances on chalkboards.

— James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of activists

Noun

As for enduring monuments, Elvis fanatics have Graceland, Beatles obsessives have Abbey Road, but Dolly?

— Carlye Wisel, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Just not as much as the callous bosses who created this indefensible, toxic situation and the fanatics who once cheered it.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of zealots

noun

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