Definition

1. Noun:
   • Excessive, uncritical zeal or enthusiasm: An extreme and often irrational devotion to a cause, belief, or ideology, characterized by a refusal to consider alternative viewpoints.
   • Extreme intolerance of opposing views: A state of mind marked by a passionate, uncompromising rejection of any opinions, beliefs, or practices that differ from one's own.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His political fanaticism made any rational debate impossible.
  • The conflict was fueled by religious fanaticism on both sides.
  • She warned against the dangers of ideological fanaticism.

Advanced Usage

• "To border on fanaticism": To be so extreme in one's views or actions that it approaches being fanatical.
  • His dedication to the diet bordered on fanaticism; he would eat nothing else.
• "The fanaticism of the crowd": Describing the collective, fervent zeal of a group.
  • The leader's speech ignited the fanaticism of the crowd.

Variants and Related Words

• Fanatic (noun/adjective): A person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, or describing such a person.
  • He was a fitness fanatic. (noun)
  • She held fanatic beliefs. (adjective)
• Fanatically (adverb): In an extremely zealous or devoted manner.
  • He followed the instructions fanatically.

Synonyms

• Zealotry: Excessive fervor for a person, cause, or object; fanaticism.
• Extremism: The holding of extreme political or religious views.
• Bigotry: Obstinate or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices.

Related Phrases

• Blind fanaticism: Emphasizes the refusal to see reason or evidence.
  • The movement was driven by blind fanaticism.
• Religious fanaticism: Specifies fanaticism related to religious beliefs.
  • The historian studied the roots of religious fanaticism in the region.

Related Idioms

• To drink the Kool-Aid: (Idiomatic, based on historical event) To become an unquestioning believer in a dogma or ideology; to display fanaticism.
  • After joining the group, he completely drank the Kool-Aid and cut off contact with his family.

Noun

1. excessive intolerance of opposing views