partisans

noun

variants also partizans
plural of partisan
1
as in adherents
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in militants
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause a partisan of the revolution who was even willing to give her life for it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sectarians
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 partisans Harald paid tribute to the Norwegian partisans who had fought alongside the Soviets during World War II, helping to restore the memory of a segment of the population that had long been marginalized in the official narrative of the war. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 This week’s Pollwatcher answers a reader’s question about how polls select respondents and highlights how partisans in one state have flipped on a Democratic senator. — Scott Clement, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 As a result, partisans of the political left and right routinely use allegations of plagiarism to vilify their ideological adversaries. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 Such traits help elevate interactions with the natural world – and might do the same among neighbors, colleagues, and even political partisans. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026 Exhibited for the first time outside of Sarajevo, the churning Socialist Realist homage invokes Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People in figuring partisans heroically overcoming their would-be Nazi aggressors. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026 Reynolds tracks the willingness of northern partisans—Carl Schurz, Horace Greeley, Lyman Trumbull, and even Sumner himself—to abandon that cause by the dwindling references to Jamestown and Plymouth. — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Meanwhile, partisans continued to spar over dozens of Republican bills that would allow voters to lower property taxes for homeowners by raising sales taxes on everyone. — David Wickert, AJC.com, 23 June 2026 The mood was jovial, and any banter between the English and Croatian partisans was playful. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisans
  1. adherents
  2. militants
  3. fanatics
  4. followers
  5. activists
  6. nationalists
  7. disciples
  8. crusaders
Noun
  • Breitbart has also published an article skewering Hamilton for suggesting that adherents of other religions might get to Heaven.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Its adherents believe that the relentless pursuit of maximizing individual freedom and rights has come at the cost of community, religion, and traditional norms.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of adherents
Noun
  • Earlier this year, affiliates of al Qaeda and ​Islamic State both carried out attacks on the civilian airport and military airbase, contributing to initial suspicion that militants could have been behind the ​assault on the capital.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Jihadi militants had on two occasions this year attacked the airport, a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of militants
Noun
  • That’s good news for autumnal fanatics, as this foliage-rich route—lined with maples, oaks, birches, and more—becomes postcard-perfect each October.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Adolf Hitler's army has been shattered, but thousands of Nazi fanatics are prepared to engage in an epic last stand.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fanatics
Noun
  • Summary An 11-year-old Ontario entrepreneur, Ashton Meyer, transformed his $10 bin cleaning side hustle into a viral success, gaining over 110,000 Instagram followers.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Today, Richards has 790,000 followers on Instagram, a Sunday Times bestselling book (The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset), and wellness community called Found.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of followers
Noun
  • For years, its players and agents and team officials and fans have argued that its professional athletes are, by their very existence, activists.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • An art installation by the Guerilla Girls, anonymous artist activists, invited fans to air their grievances on chalkboards.
    — James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of activists
Noun
  • The plans to honor Mladić sparked a wave of criticism from the pro-European opposition in the country, but were welcomed by many nationalists.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Begin became prime minister in 1977, ushering in the rise of right-wing nationalists and sweeping out the socialist movement launched under Ben Gurion.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of nationalists
Noun
  • Jesus and his disciples encountered many instances of chaos but remained untouched by them.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The show lures corporate sponsors to the marketing mecca, where brands hope to convert experience seekers into true believers, eventually disciples.
    — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of disciples
Noun
  • The book is full of stories of villains, like the venomous heroin that took so many of Seattle’s crusaders as well as the music industry that never quite understood where Soundgarden belonged.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 June 2026
  • The facility remains popular among anti-immigrant crusaders, and Attorney General Uthmeier’s campaign store sells Alligator Alcatraz bumper stickers, T-shirts, and caps.
    — Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Definition of crusaders

Browse Nearby Words

partisan
partisans
partisanship
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Cite this Entry

“Partisans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisans. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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