What is the difference between zeal and zealotry?
You’re correct. “Zeal” is the normal or neutral word that means enthusiasm or great energy in such collocations as “revolutionary, religious, missionary zeal.” Zealotry, on the other hand, is a derogatory word to describe an attitude or behavior of a zealot, especially in matters of religion and politics, as in the collocation “religious zealotry.” Only zealotry has a negative connotation. Cheers.
