What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overzealousness
Example
His overzealousness for the project caused him to overlook important details. [overzealousness: noun]
Example
She was criticized for her overzealousness in enforcing the rules. [overzealousness: noun]
zealotry
Example
The group's zealotry led to violent clashes with opposing factions. [zealotry: noun]
Example
He was known for his zealotry in advocating for his political beliefs. [zealotry: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overzealousness is a more common word than zealotry in everyday language, and is often used in a positive or neutral context. Zealotry is a more specialized term that is typically reserved for extreme cases of political or religious fanaticism.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overzealousness and zealotry?
Both overzealousness and zealotry are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, zealotry is generally considered to be a more serious and weighty term than overzealousness, and is more likely to be used in academic or professional contexts.