noun

partisan

PAH-tih-zan

noun

A strong, often unquestioning supporter of a party, cause, or leader.

"The rally was full of partisans waving flags for their candidate."

A guerrilla fighter operating behind enemy lines, especially during wartime.

"The partisans sabotaged railway lines to slow the invading army."

adj

Strongly biased in favour of one side, party, or cause.

"The debate quickly turned partisan, with neither side willing to compromise."

How to Use Partisan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) strongly loyal to one side of a political or ideological divide.

Common pairings

partisan politics bitterly partisan partisan lines

more partisan comparative, partisans plural, partisans plural, most partisan superlative

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The rally was full of _____ waving flags for their candidate.

From Italian partigiano, "defender of a party," from parte, "part."

artisan