A person who opposes or criticizes excessive enthusiasm or zeal, particularly in religious or political contexts.
From anti- (against) + zealot (an extremely enthusiastic person), combining Greek and Hebrew roots. The term emerged in English as a descriptor for those who react against fanaticism.
This word captures a fascinating paradox: someone who is zealously against zealotry. It reflects a real historical tension where reformers fighting extremism sometimes became extreme themselves.
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