fanaticize

American  

[fuh-nat-uh-sahyz] / fəˈnæt əˌsaɪz /

especially British, fanaticise

verb (used with object)

fanaticized, fanaticizing

1. to make fanatical.

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verb (used without object)

fanaticized, fanaticizing

1. to act with or show fanaticism.

fanaticize British  

/ fəˈnætɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become fanatical

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Usage

What does fanaticize mean? To fanaticize someone is to make them into a fanatic—a person with an extreme and often unquestioning enthusiasm, devotion, or zeal for something, such as a religion, political stance, or cause. It can also mean to become a fanatic. Much less commonly, it can mean to act in such a way—to engage in fanaticism or fanatical behavior. Fanatic 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. Fanaticize is most commonly used in reference to this sense of the word fanatic. When it is, a close synonym is radicalize. But fanatic can also be used in a way that’s not negative 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. Fanaticize can be used in reference to this sense of fanatic, but it’s much less common. Example: Followers of the movement are being fanaticized by online propaganda.

Etymology

Origin of fanaticize

First recorded in 1705–15; fanatic + -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fanaticized fanaticizing

"All my hopes will be shattered if our troops, fanaticized by this girl, should gain but one victory in a single encounter with the English," cried the Bishop of Chartres.

From The Executioner's Knife Or Joan of Arc by Sue, Eug?ne

They either fanaticized the mob against him, or accused him before the Roman authorities of introducing a new religion or disturbing the peace or proclaiming a king who would be a rival to Caesar.

From The Life of St. Paul by Stalker, James

He accordingly got together a band of stout-hearted fellows whom he fanaticized, disciplined, and transformed into the nucleus of a strong army to which brigands, outlaws, and malcontents of every social layer afterward flocked.

From The Inside Story of the Peace Conference by Dillon, Emile Joseph

She considered that the Majorcans had been brutalized and fanaticized, thanks to their influence.

From George Sand, some aspects of her life and writings by Hallard, Alys

The implacable theologians also succeeded in fanaticizing some of the princes and bishops, who gradually became more and more opposed to any kind of settlement by mutual understanding.

From Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by Bente, F. (Friedrich)