fanatical

[ fuh-nat-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. motivated or characterized by an extreme, uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, as in religion or politics.

   Synonyms: rabid, frenzied, zealous, enthusiastic

fanatical

/ fəˈnætɪkəl /

adjective

1. surpassing what is normal or accepted in enthusiasm for or belief in something; excessively or unusually dedicated or devoted

Derived Forms

• faˈnatically, adverb

Other Words From

• fa·nati·cal·ly adverb
• fa·nati·cal·ness noun
• nonfa·nati·cal adjective
• nonfa·nati·cal·ly adverb
• unfa·nati·cal adjective
• unfa·nati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanatical¹

First recorded in 1540–50; fanatic + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See intolerant, radical.

Example Sentences

ISU is exclusive, cult-like and reserved for the most fanatical regime supporters.

From Time

She said she came to recognize the legal system possessed a “fanatical dedication” to preserving a conviction.

From Washington Post

Unlike when naming the latest tech startup, there is fanatical attachment to the original team name.

From FiveThirtyEight

These fanatical groups wish to create fundamentalist enclaves in which some version of Sharia law will prevail.

From The Daily Beast

His is a fanbase so fanatical that even those pretending to be him are mobbed and celebrated.

From The Daily Beast

The foreign fighters are often the most fanatical on the battlefield.

From The Daily Beast

Having seen the finished product, I doubt that anyone but the most fanatical fundamentalists will object.

From The Daily Beast

It was a product of Republican brinksmanship over the debt ceiling, and a near-fanatical desire for spending cuts.

From The Daily Beast

The standard of the Prophet was raised in the bazaar and a fanatical mob rallied round it.

From Project Gutenberg

His duties as Pipe-master, Hennemann discharged with great fidelity; yea, even with genuine fanatical zeal.

From Project Gutenberg

Blind faith in a religion, fanatical zeal for a religion, are too common to astonish us.

From Project Gutenberg

But a fanatical or parricide priest is not incited in this way; heaven is held out to him, and not a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

The fanatical Fra Rupert and the low, vile-tongued Catanaise are not tragic characters.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bigoted
• dogmatic
• enthusiastic
• fervent
• frenzied
• impassioned
• narrow-minded
• obsessive
• passionate
• rabid
• single-minded
• stubborn
• violent
• zealous

More About Fanatical

What does fanatical mean?

Fanatical means having and being motivated by an extreme and often unquestioning enthusiasm, devotion, or zeal for something, such as a religion, political stance, or cause.

A person who shows such extreme enthusiasm or devotion is called a fanatic. Sometimes, fanatic is used negatively to imply that someone takes such devotion too far, as in They’re considered religious fanatics due to their extreme practices. Close synonyms are extremist, radical, and zealot.

Other times, fanatic is not used negatively but instead simply refers to someone who is extreme in their devotion or enthusiasm for an interest or hobby. For example, calling someone a sports fanatic means they’re an extremely enthusiastic fan of sports. In fact, the word fan is a shortening of fanatic.

Fanatical can be used to describe either a kind of fanatic or such a person’s beliefs or behavior.

Example: We dismiss these extreme beliefs by calling them fanatical, but they may be more widespread than we think.

Where does fanatical come from?

The first records of the word fanatical come from the mid-1500s. The suffix -al makes it the adjective form of fanatic, which comes from the Latin fānāticus, meaning “pertaining to a temple, inspired by divinity, frantic.”

The devotion and enthusiasm of a fanatic goes beyond normal interest. It’s intense, extreme, and often unconditional, meaning it will probably continue no matter what—even in spite of evidence that such fanatical beliefs are wrong or dangerous.

Even when fanatic is not used in a negative way and simply refers to a fan, it often implies that someone is a die-hard fan who will continue to support the subject of their fanatical fandom no matter what.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fanatical?

• fanatically (adverb)
• fanatic (noun, adjective)

What are some synonyms for fanatical?

• radical
• zealous
• frenzied

What are some words that share a root or word element with fanatical? 

• fanaticism
• fanaticize
• fan

What are some words that often get used in discussing fanatical?

 

• religion
• sports
• politics
• extremist
• zealot
• belief

How is fanatical used in real life?

Fanatical is usually used negatively, especially in the context of religion and politics.

My respect to the past actions of your grandfather do not equate to a tolerance of fanatical nationalism at the expense of the country's social and economic interest. Things are more complicated than you make them out.

— Dr Benjamin Janaway (@drjanaway) August 31, 2020

Movies are literally my entire life and my entire career and I still struggle to wrap my head around movie lovers being *this* fanatical about movies. It unnerves me. https://t.co/0FrJvAXHA4

— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) August 26, 2020

I understand that my obsession and subsequent defense of the iPhone and AT&T borders on fanatical. You don't have to remind me.

— Michael Deppisch (@deppisch) January 17, 2010

 

 

Try using fanatical!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of fanatical?

A. frenzied
B. zealous
C. mild
D. zealous