partisan
partisan — noun
- partisansingular
- partisansplural
1. a person in a hidden armed group that attacks a foreign army occupying their cou
a person in a hidden armed group that attacks a foreign army occupying their country.
The partisan carried medicine through the woods to fighters near the river.
partisan + carried supplies to hidden fighters
At night, the partisan slipped back into town to cut phone lines.
partisan + slipped into town for sabotage
Villagers hid the wounded partisan in a barn behind the church.
The young partisan studied the bridge for days before the attack.
After the war, the former partisan spoke quietly about prison camps.
- guerrilla
near-synonym; stresses irregular fighting methods
- resistance fighter
neutral historical term, especially in wartime contexts
- insurgent
broader and often used from the enemy's viewpoint
- occupying soldier
member of the foreign force the partisan fights
文法句型
a partisan + fight/hide/attack
partisan against + occupying army
用法筆記
Mostly used in war and occupation contexts, especially in history writing. Distinguish from sense 2: if the person is armed and secretly fighting a foreign force, use this sense.
常見錯誤
2. a person who strongly backs a leader, cause, or party and defends it even when c
a person who strongly backs a leader, cause, or party and defends it even when criticism seems fair.
Jude became a fierce partisan of the mayor after the housing dispute.
partisan of + political leader
On social media, Saira sounded like a partisan whenever the singer faced criticism.
sound like a partisan in public argument
The columnist was no partisan of either party during the budget fight.
Benjamin stayed a partisan of the old coach even after three losses.
A partisan of the tax plan called every complaint unfair and selfish.
文法句型
a partisan of + person/cause
become/remain a partisan
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly negative tone because it suggests loyalty has replaced fair judgement. Distinguish from sense 1: if there is no secret armed struggle against an occupying force, this is the right sense.
常見錯誤
partisan — adjective
- partisanpositive
- more partisancomparative
- most partisansuperlative
1. showing support for one side so strongly that fair judgment is lost.
showing support for one side so strongly that fair judgment is lost.
Yan said the paper's partisan headlines made the strike seem like a crime.
partisan headlines in media coverage
The committee wanted a moderator who sounded informed but never partisan.
predicative partisan after linking verb
Obi complained that the radio host asked partisan questions during the debate.
The board rejected a partisan report that ignored the workers' side.
Antonia tried to keep the student newsletter useful rather than partisan.
- impartial
most common opposite for judges, reporters, and moderators
- non-partisan
explicit opposite in political and civic contexts
文法句型
partisan + noun
be partisan
用法筆記
Usually sounds negative and often appears with media, politics, or public institutions. Distinguish from 'biased', which is broader and can describe unfairness in many non-political situations.