Words / C2

ZEL-uh-t/ˈzelət/

A zealot is a person fanatical and uncompromising in a cause: a religious zealot, a zealot for reform. A fanatic (already in the dictionary) is the close twin; doctrinaire (already in the dictionary) is rigidly theoretical, of a method not a person. An iconoclast (already in the dictionary) attacks sacred ideas rather than clinging to them. Brand-film zeal does not date the ethics form.

Meaning

A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of a cause.

Examples

• “A zealot for the brand film still has to name the ethics date.”
• “A fanatic is the close twin (already in C1). Doctrinaire is rigid theory (already in C2). An iconoclast breaks sacred ideas (already in C2) — the contrast. Heat for a method can still be exact. Heat instead of a dated clause is theatre. Write the date; leave the crusade.”

Good to know

A fanatical adherent. Everyday-close: fanatic (already in C1). Contrast: iconoclast (breaker of sacred ideas — already in C2); doctrinaire (rigid theory — already in C2). Zeal ≠ an ethics date.

Near in meaning

fanatic, extremist, partisan, true believer

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