partisan 1 of 2

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

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
Confidence surveys also increasingly reflected partisan differences more than the actual economy. Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2025 The election will determine the partisan balance of power and likely have significant policy ramifications on the county Board of Supervisors, which is split 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Noun
Still, despite all that, 4,000 stiff-upper-lipped partisans showed up in Anaheim, California, over the weekend, seeking solace, inspiration and a winning way forward. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 4 June 2025 Like many Western institutions, the Pulitzers have grown lazy, complacent, and partisan. Becket Adams, National Review, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
Adjective
  • But parents who don’t earn enough to pay income tax will still not see the benefit, and many will only see a partial benefit.
    MORIAH BALINGIT, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
  • That might mean comparing your contract to thousands of others in your industry, identifying subtle overcharges and then engaging the vendor directly to secure a partial refund or a more competitive rate.
    Eric Steele, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • According to tradition, the incumbent chooses his successor, and is then — so adherents believe — reincarnated in that person’s body.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 July 2025
  • This trails both Muslims and Hindus, who each retain 99 percent of their adherents from childhood.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Today, taxes on wealth, as opposed to income, form the core of anti-billionaire crusaders’ plans to eliminate the largest fortunes.
    Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Anti-pornography crusaders are on a winning streak.
    Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
  • 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
  • Forced to work in a more hostile environment than.when it was first established in 2019, the mission faces limited options for evacuations due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights, and mobility, because of gangs’ ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • From retail shops to corner bodegas and independent grocery stores, the past few years have not only forced small business owners to confront staggering economic challenges, but also a needlessly hostile regulatory environment brought on by out-of-touch policymakers.
    Tosha Miller, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The actress, who is on vacation in Sardinia, has delighted her 571K followers on Instagram by proudly displaying her collection of bikinis while beating the heat with pals.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • In Instagram comments, Wales Bonner invited followers to sign up for the newsletter on walesbonner.com for further updates.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • His soul fretted in the shadow of his oppressor’s language, but the fiercely patriotic Irish nationalist—the citizen—is no hero either.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
  • There is a huge difference between a devout Christian nationalist, which Boelter is, and a devout Christian — those who follow the way of Jesus.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • These protective thoughts are normal, but unhelpful and may be a little distorted.
    Chamin Ajjan, CNBC, 12 July 2025
  • The distorted, slow-motion sound feels like sinking quicksand, and the ornamental qanun strings are perfect for Abu Dhabi plug talk.
    Peter A. Berry, Variety, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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