zeal

noun

ˈzēl 

: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : fervor

… they took office with an undisguised zeal to do everything differently …

—The Boston Globe

Choose the Right Synonym for zeal

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of zeal in a Sentence

… he was uncomfortable with their lavish parties and their collector's zeal for the most expensive, most ostentatious brand names—Rolex and Prada and Farragamo. —Anne Tyler, Digging to America, 2006

In 1248, channelling his piety into crusading zeal, Louis embarked on the Seventh Crusade, against the wishes of the Pope and against the judgement of his counsellors. —Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002

He showed his anatomical zeal by robbing a wayside gibbet, smuggling the bones back home and reconstructing the skeleton. —Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, 1997

Recent Examples on the Web

That unique tone, captured with zeal by a charismatic ensemble led by Fred Ward, Kevin Bacon, and Reba McEntire, is what makes Ron Underwood's horror-comedy about giant worms terrorizing a remote desert town such a good hang. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

But Chernus talks at us with the condescending zeal of a true music-lover, and his cheeky tirades about the history of jazz — and why Jarrett’s gift for improvisation is unique even in the context of such a freeform genre — are entertaining and educational in equal measure. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025

The employees’ zeal was, in part, an acknowledgment of the space race that has heated up between the United States and China. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025

But that zeal short-circuited the team’s only real chance against Blake Snell. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English zele, from Late Latin zelus, from Greek zēlos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing zeal

• missionary zeal

Rhymes for zeal

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feel
• feil
• heal
• heel
• keel

Kids Definition

zeal

noun

ˈzē(ə)l 

: eager desire in going for a goal