fundamentalist

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-ist]

noun

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

   radical fundamentalists.

adjective

1. noting or relating to fundamentalism or fundamentalists.

   fundamentalist sects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamentalist¹

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

Example Sentences

Dobson grew up in the fundamentalist Church of the Nazarene, one of those extremely conservative evangelical faiths that don’t allow dancing or dating, and remained a devoted adherent his entire life.

From Salon

He became president of the Master’s College in 1985, which later changed its name to the Master’s University, and presided over unprecedented growth at the fundamentalist institution, The Times wrote in 1990.

From Los Angeles Times

To be clear, I’m no fan of the repressive Iranian regime and wholeheartedly reject its fundamentalist ideology.

From Salon

“The objections of a few religious fundamentalists are being used to override school curriculum selected by an inclusive process driven by educators and experts.”

From Los Angeles Times

But its most recent outbreak is unique; the intellectual ground had been prepared by religious fundamentalist theocrats and white supremacists for more than four decades.

From Salon

Related Words

• fanatic 
• zealot