partisan

¹ American  

[pahr-tuh-zuhn, -suhn, pahr-tuh-zan] / ˈpɑr tə zən, -sən, ˌpɑr təˈzæn /

Sometimes partizan

noun

1. an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance.

   Antonyms:

   opponent

2. Military. a member of a party of light or irregular troops engaged in harassing an enemy, especially a member of a guerrilla band engaged in fighting or sabotage against an occupying army.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc..

   partisan politics.

   Synonyms:

   prejudiced, biased

2. of, relating to, or carried on by military partisans or guerrillas.

partisan ² American  

[pahr-tuh-zuhn, -suhn] / ˈpɑr tə zən, -sən /

Also partizan

noun

1. a shafted weapon of the 16th and 17th centuries, having as a head a long spear blade with a pair of curved lobes at the base.

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partisan ¹ British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪˌzæn, ˌpɑːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. an adherent or devotee of a cause, party, etc

2. 1. a member of an armed resistance group within occupied territory, esp in Italy or the Balkans in World War II

   2. ( as modifier )

      partisan forces

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a partisan

2. relating to or excessively devoted to one party, faction, etc; one-sided

   partisan control

partisan ² British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪzən /

noun

1. a spear or pike with two opposing axe blades or spikes

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Synonym Usage

See follower.

Other Word Forms

• partisanry
  noun
• partisanship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of partisan¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French, from Upper Italian parteźan (Tuscan partigiano ), equivalent to part(e) “faction, part” ( see part) + -eźan (from unattested Vulgar Latin -ēs- adjective suffix of place ( see -ese) + Latin -iānus adjective suffix ( see -ian)

Origin of partisan²

1550–60; < Middle French partizane < Upper Italian parteźana, probably by ellipsis from (unattested) arma parteźana “weapon borne by members of a faction”; see partisan ¹

Explanation

If something is prejudicial towards a particular point of view, you can call it partisan. You'll often hear about partisan politics in the U.S. — since politicians seem to be completely devoted to the agendas of their own parties. Partisan can be used to describe rabid supporters of any person or activity. In American English, however, it is most often used to refer to politics and the American two-party system of Democrats and Republicans. A bill introduced may have partisan support from the party that introduced the bill, or — more rarely it seems to American voters — the bill may even have bipartisan support. The prefix bi is added to show the support from both parties.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

partisan

Last cycle, seven states had their most expensive judicial elections ever, including Montana and Kentucky, states with partisan compositions more like Kansas.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

Sooryavanshi's inclusion sent a frisson of excitement around Old Trafford, giving a boisterous and partisan crowd further reason to make noise.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

These are people fleeing persecution, conflict and violence, a number that is perhaps more trans-political than partisan, cutting across issues and nations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

“By bringing together experts from across the political spectrum, we can remove partisan politics from the conversation and focus on practical, responsible solutions,” Bilirakis said.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026

Is that a partisan there, that old man with the saw cutting trees?

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• backer
• defender
• devotee
• follower
• stalwart
• supporter
• sympathizer
• zealot