fanatical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fanatical' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is extremely devoted or enthusiastic about something, often in a way that is unreasonable. For example: "He was fanatical about his soccer team and never missed a match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only their most fanatical followers would make any claim to merit on behalf of a winning team who were clearly second-best in everything except the matter of producing a legitimate goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Albanese holds the inner Sydney seat of Grayndler and is a fanatical supporter of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Guardian

"I am someone who is fanatical about seeking a consensus, as long as a compromise constitutes a solution," he has said.

The Guardian

But he made it clear he wasn't backing down on another allegation, made in a letter to PEN earlier this week, in which he described Prose and the five other authors to have withdrawn as "the fellow travellers" of "fanatical Islam, which is highly organised, well funded, and which seeks to terrify us all, Muslims as well as non-Muslims, into a cowed silence".

The Guardian - Books

Where Rushdie sees a Voltaire-style "battle against fanatical Islam", some of his opponents find echoes in that war of ideas of the west's recent military crusades in the Middle East, or equally troubling parallels between the magazine's cartoons and antisemitic images.

The Guardian - Books

Tarantola, who until last year was deputy director general of the Bank of Italy, was declared one of a cabal of "fanatical feminists" and compared to Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's ousted president, for her supposedly moralising tendencies.

The Guardian

Nothing could be further from the fanatical creed of the killers, and this is what my colleague meant by betrayal.

The Guardian - Opinion

For now, Guyana only seems to attract fanatical birdwatchers who are prepared to rough it, but the DeFreitas family who run Dadanawa are part of a growing group who realise the unique attractions of their country.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr Lawson drew a graphic picture of a fanatical senior terrorist who, by his own admission, had spent "hours, weeks and months" poring over his research.

The Guardian

Tarasov was fanatical about the need for puck possession and pushed his team to focus on this aspect of the game, partly by the simple act of counting up passes in a game".

The Guardian - Sport

William McGregor, de facto founder of the Football League, was very much a product of his times: fiercely-bearded late-Victorian patriarch, muscular Christian, and a fanatical teetotaller.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "fanatical" with nouns that accurately reflect the subject of intense devotion, such as "fanatical supporter" or "fanatical attention to detail".

Common error

Avoid using "fanatical" when a more moderate term like "enthusiastic" or "dedicated" would suffice. Overuse can diminish the impact and credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "fanatical" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate an extreme degree of enthusiasm or zeal. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical function, as demonstrated in examples like "fanatical followers" and "fanatical birdwatchers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "fanatical" effectively conveys extreme enthusiasm or devotion, often to a degree that may be considered unreasonable. Ludwig AI validates its proper use in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as business documents. While grammatically correct, careful consideration of context is crucial; overuse can weaken your writing and it could be replaced by alternatives such as "zealous", "fervent", or "overzealous".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

zealous

Similar intensity, but focuses on active and energetic pursuit.

overzealous

Highlights excessive enthusiasm that may be inappropriate.

highly devoted

Emphasizes loyalty and commitment.

fervent

Emphasizes warmth and sincerity of feeling.

ardent

Emphasizes enthusiasm mixed with passion and warmth.

intensely passionate

Focuses on the depth of feeling rather than the extremity of action.

rabid

Suggests an uncontrolled and possibly dangerous enthusiasm.

extremely enthusiastic

A more descriptive and less judgmental way to express strong support.

obsessed

Implies an unhealthy or all-consuming preoccupation.

maniacal

Suggests a wild and irrational level of enthusiasm.

FAQs

How is "fanatical" used in a sentence?

The word "fanatical" is used to describe someone with extreme enthusiasm or zeal. For example, "He was a "fanatical supporter" of the team."

What are some synonyms for "fanatical"?

Alternatives to "fanatical" include "zealous", "fervent", or "overzealous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a hobby as "fanatical"?

While you can describe a hobby as "fanatical", consider if the level of enthusiasm warrants such a strong term. "Dedicated" or "passionate" may be more appropriate if the enthusiasm is not extreme or irrational.

When is it best to avoid using the word "fanatical"?

Avoid using "fanatical" in formal or professional contexts where a more neutral term is preferred. It can also be inappropriate when describing sensitive topics, as it may imply a negative or judgmental connotation.