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View synonyms for fanatic

fanatic

[ fuh-nat-ik ]

noun

  1. a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, as in religion or politics.

    Synonyms: militant, hothead, bigot, zealot, enthusiast



adjective

fanatic

/ fəˈnætɪk /

noun

  1. a person whose enthusiasm or zeal for something is extreme or beyond normal limits
  2. informal.
    a person devoted to a particular hobby or pastime; fan

    a jazz fanatic

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. a variant of fanatical
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • nonfa·natic noun adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fanatic1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin fānāticus “pertaining to a temple, inspired by a divinity, frantic,” equivalent to fānum “temple” + -āticus, equivalent to -āt(us) -ate 1 + -icus -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fanatic1

C16: from Latin fānāticus belonging to a temple, hence, inspired by a god, frenzied, from fānum temple
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Synonym Study

Fanatic, zealot, militant, devotee refer to persons showing more than ordinary support for, adherence to, or interest in a cause, point of view, or activity. Fanatic and zealot both suggest excessive or overweening devotion to a cause or belief. Fanatic further implies unbalanced or obsessive behavior: a wild-eyed fanatic. Zealot, only slightly less unfavorable in implication than fanatic, implies single-minded partisanship: a tireless zealot for tax reform. Militant stresses vigorous, aggressive support for or opposition to a plan or ideal and suggests a combative stance. Devotee is a milder term than any of the foregoing, suggesting enthusiasm but not to the exclusion of other interests or possible points of view: a jazz devotee.
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Example Sentences

If you are more of a coffee fanatic than anything else, you can also use a built-in timer to monitor your pour-over.

A 1974 Reader article about her bid for office praises her looks and quotes her as saying that “in 1964 my sisters and I were Goldwater fanatics.”

This also adds as well as goes to show just how fanatic people can be at times when a trend hits them.

The tech giant announced some important new additions to its now veteran devices, and in general those additions may make many consumers take notice, particularly ones who are health fanatics.

From Fortune

Then earlier this month, Nintendo gave video game fanatics some hope by saying its supply chain problems were nearly fixed.

From Fortune

After reading Ever Yours, if nothing else, one can start to understand how such a fanatic mind could produce such fanatic art.

An anime fanatic in middle school, Jackson thought to herself one day: “Hey, maybe I should try watching real people.”

“It was no brute whom Smiley was pursuing with such mastery, no unqualified fanatic after all, no automaton,” le Carré writes.

That being said, what Friends fanatic wouldn't like to give Brad Pitt a little slap?

His tone as captured by the video he then posted on Facebook  is not manifestly that of some a fanatic or a psychopath.

His impetuosity called forth the expression, “He is a fanatic who will lead us to a precipice.”

It is but too true that one fanatic is sufficient for the commission of a parricide, without any accomplice.

His face shone with extraordinary brilliancy, due, no doubt, to the excess of strength which his fanatic devotion gave him.

But there was no telling at what moment these fanatic Mexicans would discover what was going on, and balk it all.

He had always been a loyal citizen—not a fanatic, but loyal—and it wasn't easy for him to question his own basic assumptions.

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More About Fanatic

What does fanatic mean?

A fanatic is a person with an extreme and often unquestioning enthusiasm, devotion, or zeal for something, such as a religion, political stance, or cause.

This sense of the word is typically used negatively to imply that someone takes such devotion too far, as in They’re considered religious fanatics due to their extreme practices. Close synonyms are extremist, radical, and zealot.

Other times, fanatic is not used negatively but instead simply refers to someone who is extreme in their devotion or enthusiasm for an interest or hobby. For example, calling someone a sports fanatic means they’re an extremely enthusiastic fan of sports. In fact, the word fan is a shortening of fanatic.

Less commonly, fanatic can be used as an adjective meaning the same thing as fanatical—having and motivated by extreme enthusiasm or devotion.

Example: We dismiss them as fanatics, but their beliefs may be more widespread than we think.

Where does fanatic come from?

The first records of the word fanatic come from around 1530. It comes from the Latin fānāticus, meaning “pertaining to a temple, inspired by divinity, frantic.”

The devotion and enthusiasm of a fanatic goes beyond normal interest. It’s intense, extreme, and often unconditional, meaning it will probably continue no matter what—even in spite of evidence that such fanatical beliefs are wrong or dangerous.

Even when fanatic is not used in a negative way and simply refers to a fan, it often implies that someone is a die-hard fan who will continue to support the subject of their fandom no matter what.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fanatic?

What are some synonyms for fanatic?

What are some words that share a root or word element with fanatic

What are some words that often get used in discussing fanatic?

 

How is fanatic used in real life?

When used negatively, fanatic is especially used in the context of religion and politics. When it’s used to mean “huge fan,” it’s especially used in the context of sports.

 

 

Try using fanatic!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of fanatic?

A. devotee
B. extremist
C. opponent
D. radical

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