partisan 1 of 2

Definition of partisannext

partisan

2 of 2

noun

variants also partizan
1
2
3
as in sectarian
one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices she's too much of a political partisan to ever concede that the other side might have a valid point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

How is the word partisan different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of partisan are adherent, disciple, and follower. While all these words mean "one who gives full loyalty and support to another," partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced attachment.

partisans of the President

When could adherent be used to replace partisan?

The synonyms adherent and partisan are sometimes interchangeable, but adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment.

adherents to Marxism

When might disciple be a better fit than partisan?

While the synonyms disciple and partisan are close in meaning, disciple implies a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master.

disciples of Gandhi

When can follower be used instead of partisan?

Although the words follower and partisan have much in common, follower may apply to people who attach themselves either to the person or beliefs of another.

an evangelist and his followers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of partisan
Adjective
That is not a partisan concern. Dan Daley, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 More than 16,000 Republicans and nearly 700 non-partisan voters have also gone to the polls. Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
The map of states that offer the highest-quality public preschool programs would surprise some partisans. ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Disrupting basic services to millions of Americans in such circumstances only makes sense to die-hard partisans. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • If left untreated, the buildup can lead to partial or complete vision loss, according to Genentech.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The country saw a wave of emigration – and a serious brain drain – in the wake of a partial military mobilization that was announced in September 2022.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • He’d been struck that the Milwaukee branch of the adherents to his cause were forever boasting about their superior sanitation systems.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
  • TikTok obsessives, wellness-culture adherents, and misinformation junkies all end up in need of care.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Separatist fighters on Saturday joined Islamic militants in launching one of the biggest coordinated attacks on the Malian army in the capital and several other cities, which left an unknown number of militants dead and at least 16 people wounded, including civilians, the government said.
    Wilson Mcmakin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Israel and Lebanon yesterday agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks, though some clashes between Israel and Hezbollah militants have continued, with each accusing the other of breaching the agreement.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Iraqi prime minister at the time, Nuri al-Maliki, was a Shiite sectarian with close ties to Iran, and many of his fellow Shia thought he could be relied on to listen to Iran’s wishes and find a way to avoid clashing with an Iranian proxy militia.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
    Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
  • These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Artists affiliated with the Wide Awakes have adopted the original group’s open-eye iconography to symbolize the new wave of followers’ social awakening.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Streamers may have a variety of sources of income, including sponsorship, donations from followers, affiliate links, selling merchandise, and tournament winnings.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Over one year after the death of her fellow anti-Scientology crusader, ex-church official, and Emmy-winning Scientology and the Aftermath collaborator Mike Rinder, actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini has opened up about the pain of living life without her longtime friend.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Among other things, the New York Times story portrayed Lively as Hollywood’s latest #MeToo crusader, courageously exposing workplace abuses against women.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Irish nationalists had rebelled against British rule for hundreds of years, but revolution started to become more palatable to the larger public during World War I, according to Sean Farrell, a history professor at Northern Illinois University and 19th century Irish historian.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Many Christian nationalists believe in erasing the boundaries between church and state, Andrew Whitehead, a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis, previously told USA TODAY.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on partisan

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster