zealot

[ zel-uht ]

noun

1. a person who shows zeal.
2. an excessively zealous person; fanatic.

   Synonyms: bigot, crank, extremist

3. (initial capital letter) a member of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent from a.d. 69 to 81, advocating the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisting the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to heathenize the Jews.

zealot

¹

/ ˈzɛlət /

noun

1. an immoderate, fanatical, or extremely zealous adherent to a cause, esp a religious one

Zealot

²

/ ˈzɛlət /

noun

1. any of the members of an extreme Jewish sect or political party that resisted all aspects of Roman rule in Palestine in the 1st century ad

Other Words From

• under·zealot noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of zealot¹

First recorded in 1400–50; earlier zelote from Late Latin zēlōtēs, from Greek zēlṓtēs, equivalent to zēlō- (variant stem of zēloûn “to be zealous”; zeal ) + -tēs agent suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of zealot¹

C16: from Late Latin zēlōtēs, from Greek, from zēloun to be zealous, from zēlos zeal

Synonym Study

See fanatic.

Example Sentences

The Fugees are known for hits such as “Ready or Not,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Fu-Gee-La,” “No Woman, No Cry” and “Zealots.”

From Los Angeles Times

The fact is that Aslan, a religious scholar, author of the Jesus Christ biography “Zealot” and host of the bygone CNN religious travelogue series “Believer,” is used to receiving messages calling for his demise.

From Los Angeles Times

Zealots on both sides of the spectrum are refusing to confront and teach the complexities of the world.

From New York Times

Others, such as a heavy metal show with Zealot RIP, Asthma Castle and Loud Boyz at DC Brau on Sept. 22, are in-person affairs.

From Washington Post

“In this band, everybody knows what not to do,” says Tsouras, as if holding Zealot R.I.P.’s biggest wisdom pearl in the palm of his hand.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• die-hard
• extremist
• fanatic
• militant
• radical