zealot
Obsessive cause supporter
A zealot is someone who pursues a cause with excessive fervor, often to the point of fanaticism.
The word implies single-minded devotion that ignores reason or tolerance: a religious zealot, political zealots on both sides.
Unlike mere enthusiasm, zealotry suggests an intensity that others find troubling or dangerous.
She's a zealot about recycling—she'll lecture you for using a plastic straw.
Overly zealous person
- fundamentalistStrict original-doctrine adherent
- extremistOne holding fringe views
- sectarianRigidly devoted to faction
- jihadistReligious warfare combatant
crusader · evangelist · missionary · martyr · inquisitor · puritan · true believer · mujahideen
Vigorous cause champion
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- militantAggressive cause supporter
- partisanBiased toward one side
- ideologueDogmatic political advocate
agitator · revolutionary · insurgent · hardliner · extremist · propagandist · firebrand · demagogue
Intense emotional intensity
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- single-mindednessExclusive focus on purpose
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
intensity · vehemence · passion · dedication · commitment · fervency · earnestness · fire
Refusing to change course
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- rigidUnable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
unyielding · unbending · unrelenting · immovable · hardline · intransigent · implacable · diehard
Intolerance toward differing views
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
- narrow-mindednessClosed thinking, limited perspective
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
chauvinism · intransigence · prejudice · exclusion · parochialism · illiberalism · closed-minded · self-righteous
fanatic
Overly zealous person
- fundamentalistStrict original-doctrine adherent
- extremistOne holding fringe views
- sectarianRigidly devoted to faction
jihadist · crusader · evangelist · missionary · martyr · inquisitor · puritan · true believer · mujahideen · dogmatist
activist
Vigorous cause champion
ideologue · agitator · revolutionary · insurgent · hardliner · extremist · propagandist · firebrand · demagogue · ultranationalist
fervor
Intense emotional intensity
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- single-mindednessExclusive focus on purpose
obsession · intensity · vehemence · passion · dedication · commitment · fervency · earnestness · fire · enthusiasm
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- rigidUnable to bend
adamant · unyielding · unbending · unrelenting · immovable · hardline · intransigent · implacable · diehard · unflinching
bigotry
Intolerance toward differing views
- dogmatismUnyielding adherence to doctrine
- narrow-mindednessClosed thinking, limited perspective
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
xenophobia · chauvinism · intransigence · prejudice · exclusion · parochialism · illiberalism · closed-minded · self-righteous · sanctimonious
- advocatesadvocate, activist, campaigner, crusader, defender
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- devoteesdevotee, devotees, adherent, adherents, follower
- enthusiastsenthusiasts, fans, devotee, enthusiast, buff
- game unitssoldier, knight, archer, mage, healer
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
zealotmoderate
Lessen intensity or preside
dabbler · dilettante · fence-sitter · apathetic · hobbyist
zealotskeptic
One who doubts claims
doubter · freethinker · questioner · critical thinker · pluralist
- religious zealPassionate devotion to faith
- missionary zealFervent drive to proselytize
- evangelical zealIntense drive to convert
- revolutionary zealPassionate drive for drastic change