noun

zealot

ZEHL-uht

Zealot (noun) means someone so committed to a cause or belief that they pursue it with extreme, often unreasonable intensity. Example: “The reform movement was hijacked by a handful of zealots.”

noun

Someone so committed to a cause or belief that they pursue it with extreme, often unreasonable intensity.

"The reform movement was hijacked by a handful of zealots."

"He argued like a zealot, refusing to accept any counterpoint."

Historically, a member of a Jewish political movement in first-century Judea that violently resisted Roman rule.

"The Zealots led the revolt against Roman occupation in 66 CE."

How to use zealot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone whose devotion to a cause tips into fanaticism.

Common mistake

Almost always carries a negative or critical tone — calling someone a zealot is rarely a compliment.

Common pairings

religious zealot political zealot a zealot for the cause

Word forms

zealots plural

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The reform movement was hijacked by a handful of _____.

Etymology

From Greek zēlōtēs ("zealous follower"), from zēlos ("zeal"); originally the name for a fierce anti-Roman Jewish faction before it became a general word for any fanatic.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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partisan drumbeater

Related words

part fan partial tribal ideological partisan guerrilla impartial

Frequently asked questions

What does “zealot” mean?

The word “zealot” means someone so committed to a cause or belief that they pursue it with extreme, often unreasonable intensity. In plain terms, someone whose devotion to a cause tips into fanaticism.

How do you pronounce “zealot”?

“Zealot” is pronounced ZEHL-uht (/ˈzɛl.ət/ in IPA).

How do you use “zealot” in a sentence?

Here is “zealot” used in a sentence: “The reform movement was hijacked by a handful of zealots.”

What part of speech is “zealot”?

“Zealot” is a noun.

Where does the word “zealot” come from?

The word “zealot” comes from Greek. From Greek zēlōtēs ("zealous follower"), from zēlos ("zeal"); originally the name for a fierce anti-Roman Jewish faction before it became a general word for any fanatic.

How many meanings does “zealot” have?

“Zealot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone so committed to a cause or belief that they pursue it with extreme, often unreasonable intensity.

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