partisan 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of partisannext
as in partial
inclined to favor one side over another a shamelessly partisan reporter covering the primary campaign

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

partisan

2 of 2

noun

ˈpär-tə-zən How to pronounce partisan (audio)
variants also partizan
1
as in adherent
one who follows the opinions or teachings of another partisans of the charismatic leader refuse to tolerate any criticism of him at all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in militant
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 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

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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
This report may appear partisan because a group of Democrats released it. — Sarah Webber, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Even before the swearing-in ceremony, supporters flooded social media with the same partisan trademark fervor of veteran politicians, suggesting that while the faces may be new, political habits remain the same. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
The mood was jovial, and any banter between the English and Croatian partisans was playful. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026 His lone goal delighted the Swiss partisans, who were banished to the second level of the stadium. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for partisan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for partisan
  1. partial
  2. adherent
  3. militant
  4. sectarian
  5. hostile
  6. follower
  7. crusader
  8. nationalist
Adjective
  • While Europe will experience a total solar eclipse, millions of Americans will instead witness a partial solar eclipse followed by the annual Perseid meteor shower, creating an unusual back-to-back celestial spectacle.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Dalton Rushing’s elbow injury was diagnosed as a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, as manager Dave Roberts first told AM 570’s David Vassegh.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of partial
Noun
  • In turn, schools like the Forge birthed a new military archetype, whose adherents were often privileged, scrappy, and damaged—just as Holden Caulfield was.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Modi’s father, Deepak Modi, established his own diamond business in Antwerp, where the Palanpuri Jains, adherents of the Jain faith, helped reshape the industry.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of adherent
Noun
  • Some of the jihadi militants in Nigeria have presented themselves as an alternative to the government in areas with limited government and security presence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Very few civil rights leaders, whether nonviolent or militant, moved to the island for good.
    — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
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
Definition of sectarian
Adjective
  • The board of Scripps rejected Sinclair’s hostile bid in December.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The documentary depicts a scenario involving a large hostile surface vessel formation approaching southeast of China.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Noun
  • Gastélum posted similar content on his Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts, which together had more than 1 million followers.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Edo joined thousands of friends and followers in Eugenie’s comment section, sharing three pink hearts and an angel baby emoji.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of follower
Noun
  • Gordon is written as a kind of crusader, one who seems doomed to be alone after his relationship with his ex-fiancée falls apart.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
  • Lina Khan, an antitrust crusader who targeted Big Tech companies during her run as head of the Federal Trade Commission, has been named chair of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 July 2026
Definition of crusader
Noun
  • These concerns first surfaced in 2023 when nationalists, traders, and local activists banded together under the banner of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, commonly known as JAAC, to pressure Islamabad for fairer treatment.
    — Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 26 July 2026
  • The nationalists were members of the Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1787 to draft the successor to the articles, the United States Constitution.
    — Donovan Fifield, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of nationalist

Browse Nearby Words

parti pris
partisan
partisans
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Cite this Entry

“Partisan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/partisan. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on partisan

Nglish: Translation of partisan for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about partisan

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