zealot

/'zelət/

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Word: Zealot

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A zealot is someone who is very passionate and enthusiastic about a particular belief or cause. This person often shows strong commitment, sometimes to the point of being extreme or militant in their views. The word originally referred to a member of a group in ancient Judea who fought against Roman rule.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "zealot" to describe someone who is extremely dedicated to a cause or belief.
• It often has a strong connotation, meaning it can imply that the person's passion is excessive or fanatical.

Example Sentence:

• "The environmental zealot dedicated his life to fighting for climate change awareness and often organized protests."

Advanced Usage:

• In academic or political discussions, "zealot" can describe individuals who advocate for specific ideologies (like religious zealots or political zealots).
• It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on how extreme the person's beliefs or actions are viewed.

Variants:

• Zealotry (noun): The quality of being a zealot; extreme enthusiasm for a cause.
• Zealous (adjective): Showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

Different Meaning:

While the primary meaning relates to passion for a cause, "zealot" can also imply a level of intolerance for differing opinions.

Synonyms:

• Fanatic
• Extremist
• Enthusiast
• Devotee
• Partisan

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "zealot," but you might encounter phrases like:
  • "Preach to the choir" (to speak to people who already agree with your views, often used in discussions about zealots).
  • "Go to extremes" (to take actions that are very intense or radical, often associated with zealots).

Summary:

A zealot is someone with intense passion for a cause, often to the point of being extreme. While it can describe strong dedication, it can also carry a negative implication of intolerance.

Academic

Noun

1. a fervent and even militant proponent of something
2. a member of an ancient Jewish sect in Judea in the first century who fought to the death against the Romans and who killed or persecuted Jews who collaborated with the Romans

Synonyms

• partisan
• drumbeater
• Zealot