fanatic
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fanatic
A person who pursues a particular, often extreme political or religious idea with excessive and intolerant zeal. The term has a strongly negative connotation.
Mit einem politischen Fanatiker kann man meist nicht vernünftig diskutieren.
You usually can't have a reasonable discussion with a political fanatic.
The word belongs to a word family: the adjective is 'fanatisch' (fanatical), and the abstract noun for the quality is 'der Fanatismus' (fanaticism).
Sein Fanatismus macht jede Diskussion unmöglich.
His fanaticism makes any discussion impossible.
The term 'Fanatiker' (fanatic) is not a neutral description, but a strong criticism or insult. It expresses that someone fights for an idea in an intolerant and uncompromising way.
Er wurde als Fanatiker beschimpft, weil er keine andere Meinung akzeptierte.
He was insulted as a fanatic because he did not accept any other opinion.
It is often specified what the fanaticism relates to. Typical combinations are 'politischer Fanatiker' (political fanatic), 'religiöser Fanatiker' (religious fanatic), or also 'Sport-Fanatiker' (sports fanatic).
Ein religiöser Fanatiker versucht, andere von seiner Wahrheit zu überzeugen.
A religious fanatic tries to convince others of his truth.
extremist
Both words refer to a person with an extreme political, religious, or ideological idea. Extremist primarily describes the extreme position or goal, whereas Fanatiker emphasizes excessive and intolerant zeal. Use Extremist for the attitude and Fanatiker for the way someone pursues it.
Viele hielten ihn für einen Fanatiker, weil er seine religiöse Idee ohne jede Toleranz verfolgte.
Many considered him a fanatic because he pursued his religious idea without any tolerance.
Der Artikel bezeichnete den Politiker als Extremisten, weil er eine extreme politische Position vertrat.
The article called the politician an extremist because he held an extreme political position.
