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ideologue

American  
[ahy-dee-uh-lawg, -log, id-ee-, ahy-dee-] / ˈaɪ di əˌlɔg, -ˌlɒg, ˈɪd i-, aɪˈdi- /

noun

  1. a person who zealously advocates an ideology.


Etymology

Origin of ideologue

1805–15; < French idéologue; see ideo-, -logue

Explanation

An ideologue is someone who has very strong beliefs or opinions and stubbornly sticks to them no matter what. An ideologue will insist they're right even when evidence suggests they might be wrong. If you call someone an ideologue, it's an insult. You're not just saying they believe in something, but that their belief is unreasonable and unbending. An ideologue can't have a thoughtful discussion about a topic, and they aren’t able to consider other perspectives. Ideologue derives from the Greek idea, "form," and logos, "word or speech."

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Vocabulary lists containing ideologue

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Blanche may or may not be an ideologue; his history is vague in that regard.

From Salon Apr. 12, 2026

A pragmatist as well as an ideologue, Khamenei endorsed diplomacy when convenient.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 1, 2026

Rubio, who is seen as less of an ideologue, will lead the US delegation to the annual security and defense talks, which run through Sunday in the Bavarian capital.

From Barron's Feb. 12, 2026

"We don't offer that as some humanitarian effort. It was, as with everything else Mr Roussev does, fixing for money. Mr Roussev is not an anti-western ideologue."

From BBC May 9, 2025

He was not an ideologue, but a pragmatist, a man who saw change as necessary and inevitable.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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