Definition of ardentnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word ardent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ardent are fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is fervent a more appropriate choice than ardent?

The words fervent and ardent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is it sensible to use fervid instead of ardent?

While the synonyms fervid and ardent are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of ardent?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardent, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When could passionate be used to replace ardent?

In some situations, the words passionate and ardent are roughly equivalent. However, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When might perfervid be a better fit than ardent?

The meanings of perfervid and ardent largely overlap; however, perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ardent The effect of Gaza on these particular swing voters lingers painfully in the thoughts of Harris’s most ardent supporters. Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 His Bernstein had visceral, vernacular punch; his Verdi was ardent and spry; his Britten had the right textural grit; his Mozart unfurled with complicated grace. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The fifth, Nate Miley, once an ardent defender of the deal, now tries to distance himself from it. Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 12 June 2026 However, there are credit cards that may be more rewarding for the most ardent points maximizers and frequent flyers. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • It was captured as monarch and his eldest son visited the Natural History Museum in London to kick off the countdown to COP30, the annual United Nations climate change summit to be held the following month in Brazil, as both are passionate advocates for the environment.
    Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 21 June 2026
  • Alejandra Gomez, the executive director of the non-profit LUCHA, says that the moratorium emerged from the passionate advocacy of many Arizonans—and in the face of fierce counter-lobbying from the data center industry led by former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Helping the environment was just one reason that Jeffrey Leandro Diaz’s ex-girlfriend, Cecilia Melgar Bravo, was an avid cyclist.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • As an avid library-goer, the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota and Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago are essential attractions.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Goldberg, a fervent fan of the Boys in Blue, is the founder of the Echo Park Spiritual Outreach community, Nefesh.
    Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • Rivaling artificial intelligence super PACs are seeking to affect the candidacy of Alex Bores, a New York state Assemblyman, who has been a fervent supporter of AI regulations.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • But it's been on the court where Hargitay has proved to be one of Brunson's most enthusiastic supporters, frequently attending Knicks games at Madison Square Garden.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Here’s help The Tartan Army took over Miami Scottish fans are enthusiastic, rambunctious, loud and — more than anything — organized.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • That has given players an opportunity to rest and recover ahead of the next fixture, but some of those games have taken place in searing heat, which will have had its effect on players, especially if they are not used to playing in that climate.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • But the street parties also come after months of scrutiny as FIFA has faced searing criticism across the globe for soaring World Cup ticket prices.
    Megan Janetsky, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • While the online retailer is serving up some excellent K-beauty deals—up to 40% off markdowns—our beauty editors are most excited about Medicube deals.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026
  • While the Athletics hosted the Angels in Sacramento, their Single-A affiliate minor league team, Stockton Ports, hosted lots of dads who were excited to take their kids, young and grown, out to the ball game.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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