zealotry
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of zealotry
Explanation
Zealotry is when someone takes a religious, cultural, or political belief too far, refusing to tolerate other perspectives or conflicting beliefs. People say that zealotry springs not out of faith but doubt. Makes sense. Zealotry is believing so strongly in something that you are completely intolerant of different beliefs or opinions. A government's zealotry might lead it to outlaw free speech and arrest journalists. Zealotry comes from the noun zealot, or "fanatic," which is rooted in the Greek zelotes, "a zealous follower," ultimately from the Greek zelos, "zeal, ardor, or jealousy."
Vocabulary lists containing zealotry
The Amber Spyglass
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Death in the Jungle
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Made You Up
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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.
Amanda Seyfried, nominated in Byrne’s category, is the 18th century title character in “The Testament of Ann Lee,” who turns the trauma of losing four children into religious zealotry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
You’ll learn a lot about the Shakers and maybe not enough about Ann Lee beyond her zealotry.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025
His zealotry isn't motivated by a need to do the right thing – he wants to succeed, and therefore rise.
From Salon • Sep. 23, 2022
We will all have to live with the catastrophic results of their zealotry.
From New York Times • May 14, 2022
I couldn’t tell if she was angry or excited—her zealotry managed to cover pretty much all the emotional bases.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
