fanatic
Extremely devoted person
A fanatic is someone with extreme, obsessive devotion to a cause, belief, or activity.
The word implies zeal that goes beyond reasonable bounds—a religious fanatic, a political fanatic.
In casual use, fanatic softens to mean merely an enthusiast: a fitness fanatic, a fanatic about cleanliness.
The shortened form fan derives from this word.
Root-indicating symbol
- ultraAdvocate of extreme measures
- hardcoreUncompromisingly devoted
- diehardStubbornly committed supporter
- extremistOne holding fringe views
fundamentalist · militant · hardliner · ideologue · dogmatist · absolutist · sectarian · intransigent
Obsessive cause supporter
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- followerOne who supports another
- adherentLoyal supporter of something
- acolyteClergy's ceremonial assistant
partisan · believer · supporter · votary · faithful · loyalist · champion · convert
Recreational pursuer of interests
- aficionadoKnowledgeable, passionate follower
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- admirerOne who esteems another
- fanAdmirer or air mover
groupie · connoisseur · devotee · lover · maven · geek · nerd · junkie
Persistent mental attachment
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- cravingPowerful urge to have
preoccupation · fascination · compulsion · monomania · single-mindedness · fervor · zeal · passion
Intense emotional drive
- zealIntense driving devotion
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- intensityStrength or force level
- fervencyIntense emotional warmth
vehemence · enthusiasm · fire · dedication · commitment · vigor · eagerness · earnestness
radical
Root-indicating symbol
- ultraAdvocate of extreme measures
- hardcoreUncompromisingly devoted
- diehardStubbornly committed supporter
extremist · fundamentalist · militant · hardliner · ideologue · dogmatist · absolutist · sectarian · intransigent · uncompromising
zealot
Obsessive cause supporter
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- followerOne who supports another
- adherentLoyal supporter of something
acolyte · partisan · believer · supporter · votary · faithful · loyalist · champion · convert · stalwart
hobbyist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- aficionadoKnowledgeable, passionate follower
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- admirerOne who esteems another
fan · groupie · connoisseur · devotee · lover · maven · geek · nerd · junkie · addict
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
craving · preoccupation · fascination · compulsion · monomania · single-mindedness · fervor · zeal · passion · intensity
passion
Intense emotional drive
fervency · vehemence · enthusiasm · fire · dedication · commitment · vigor · eagerness · earnestness · devotion
- fanaticismzealotry, zealot, extremism, extremist, fervor
- extremistsextremists, extremist, radicals, radical, zealot
- devoteesdevotee, devotees, adherent, adherents, follower
- enthusiastsenthusiasts, fans, devotee, enthusiast, buff
- fan frenzycheering, screaming, chanting, foam finger, jersey
- sports fansfans, superfan, superfans, die-hard fans, die-hards
fanaticmoderate
Lessen intensity or preside
centrist · middle-of-the-roader · temperate · middle-of-the-road · open-minded
fanaticapathetic
Without feeling or concern
indifferent · moderate · dispassionate · passionless · unconcerned
fanaticdilettante
Superficial pursuer of arts
dabbler · amateur · casual fan · nonfan · hobbyist
- fitness fanaticPerson obsessed with exercise
- religious fanaticismExtreme, uncompromising spiritual conviction