fanaticize
C2Formal / Literary
Definition
Meaning
To make (someone) become fanatical; to adopt or cause to adopt extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm for a cause or belief.
To imbue with or develop an intolerant, obsessive zeal; to treat or regard something with excessive and single-minded devotion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a transitive verb ('to fanaticize someone'), though intransitive use ('to fanaticize about something') is rarer. Often carries a negative connotation, implying the induction of dangerous or irrational extremism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the verb, but 'fanaticise' is the standard British spelling, while 'fanaticize' is standard American. The concept is more frequently lexicalized as 'radicalize' in contemporary discourse.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both varieties. Implies a process of indoctrination into extremism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, found more in academic, historical, or political analysis than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] - to fanaticize someone[V] - (rare) The group began to fanaticize.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology to describe processes of creating ideological extremists.
Everyday
Extremely rare; 'radicalize' is far more common.
Technical
May appear in analyses of extremism, propaganda, or social movements.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The demagogue's speeches sought to fanaticise the already discontented mob.
- Historians debate what precisely fanaticised the sect.
American English
- The regime used state media to fanaticize its citizens against the perceived enemy.
- Extremist groups exploit online platforms to fanaticize vulnerable individuals.
adverb
British English
- None. 'Fanaticaly' is the adverbial form.
American English
- None. 'Fanaticaly' is the adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- None. 'Fanatical' is the adjective.
American English
- None. 'Fanatical' is the adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2)
- (Too complex for B1)
- The leader's angry words began to fanaticize his most loyal followers.
- Some worry that violent videos can fanaticize young people.
- The cult's isolation and strict doctrine served to fanaticize its members, cutting them off from dissenting views.
- Analysts warned that the new propaganda campaign aimed to fanaticize the population, creating a cadre of unwavering extremists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FANATIC + IZE = to turn INTO a fanatic.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE DISEASES / FIRE ('The propaganda fanaticized the populace,' implying spread and uncontrollable heat).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'фанатеть' (to be a fan of) which is much milder. Closer to 'озлоблять' (to embitter) or 'радикализировать' (to radicalize).
Common Mistakes
- Using intransitively ('He fanaticized about politics') is awkward; prefer 'became fanatical about'.
- Confusing it with 'fantasize'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym to 'fanaticize' in modern political discourse?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. 'Radicalize' is far more common in contemporary usage, especially in news media.
Rarely. Its core meaning involves creating *excessive* and often *unreasoning* zeal, which typically carries a negative judgement.
The process is 'fanaticization' (US) / 'fanaticisation' (UK), but this is even rarer. More common nouns are 'radicalization' or simply 'fanaticism'.
'Enthuse' is generally positive or neutral, meaning to make enthusiastic. 'Fanaticize' is strongly negative, implying the creation of dangerous, intolerant, or obsessive extremism.