fanaticism

[ fuh-nat-uh-sahyz-uhm ]

noun

1. fanatical character, spirit, or conduct.

fanaticism

/ fəˈnætɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. wildly excessive or irrational devotion, dedication, or enthusiasm

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanaticism¹

First recorded in 1705–15; fanatic + -ism

Example Sentences

“If she said ‘vote for Trump’ then he'd win,” Maher said, adding that Glaser’s fanaticism was “disturbing.”

From Salon

Thanks to the power of his discourse, of his words, he created a kind of fanaticism around him.

From Salon

“Our information revolution is causing a lot of fanaticism, and it’s urgent to create mechanisms that will stop this tribalism from intensifying to the extent that we kill each other and kill the planet,” Costa said in a post-screening Q&A. “I believe that we are at the time of such intense crisis that that will be possible.”

From Los Angeles Times

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times ahead of the release of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the actress sang the praises of costar and it-girl, Jenna Ortega, and her deep-cut film fanaticism.

From Salon

A disturbing aspect of this, says Mr Jukes, is the increasing number of those turning to terrorism because of a fascination for violence, rather than ideological fanaticism.

From BBC

Related Words

• bigotry
• extremism
• hatred
• intolerance
• zeal
• zealotry