fundamentalist

American  

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-ist] / ˌfʌn dəˈmɛn tl ɪst /

noun

1. an adherent of fundamentalism, a religious movement characterized by a strict belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts.

   radical fundamentalists.

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adjective

1. noting or relating to fundamentalism or fundamentalists.

   fundamentalist sects.

Etymology

Origin of fundamentalist

First recorded in 1920–25; fundamental ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

That has tended to be less effective, though, as much of the music is perceived as corny to those who aren’t living in a Christian fundamentalist environment.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The series followed the giant family, highlighting their Christian fundamentalist lifestyle.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Despite his fundamentalist beliefs, Khamenei was a nimble politician.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

An adherent of Wahhabism, a conservative and fundamentalist interpretation of Sunni Islam, he hopes to rally a population exhausted by over a decade of conflict.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

At other times, he’d hear late-night preachers, often of a fundamentalist bent, giving sermons and talks, usually about the meaning and interpretation of the Bible.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• fanatic
• zealot