ardor

ar·dor | \ ˈär-dər

How to pronounce ardor (audio)

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Definition of ardor

1a : an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling the sudden ardors of youth

b : extreme vigor or energy : intensity the ardor of a true believer

c : zeal

2 : sexual excitement

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ardor

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Choose the Right Synonym for ardor

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable. was a slave 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 ardor in a Sentence

the sudden ardors of youth candidates for citizenship reciting the oath of allegiance to the United States with all the ardor that they could muster

Recent Examples on the Web The ardor of his interpretation and plushness of his timbre, as well as his wholly convincing body language, made this a high point of the night. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Celebrating Sondheim isn’t easy, as a major tribute proves," 16 Nov. 2019 Now 21, his Bucks ardor has not waned despite living so far away. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The crowd is overwhelmingly pro Bucks and pro Giannis Friday at sold-out AccorHotels Arena in Paris," 24 Jan. 2020 In their millenarian ardor and inflexible support for Israel, the neocons find themselves in a position precisely cognate to evangelical Christians—both groups of true believers trying to enact their vision through an apostate. — Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, "The Neocons Strike Back," 23 Jan. 2020 Blame Americans’ ardor for hardwood and tile—and the perception that carpet is so 1970s, ’80s or ’90s—pick your decade. — Matthew Townsend / Bloomberg, Time, "'Big Carpet' Is Betting This New Floor Covering Will Get Americans to End Their Love of Hardwood," 6 June 2019 His body was warm for Lucy Taylor with all the ardor of a new affair. — Zora Neale Hurston, Harper's magazine, "The Country in the Woman," 6 Jan. 2020 What struck me most about that day was the ardor that surrounded it. — Seth Green, Fortune, "I Worked at McKinsey. Here’s How the Firm Needs to Change," 11 Dec. 2019 The most palpable ardor comes by way of Antonio (Erick Gonzalez) who professes love for Sebastian (Alex Purcell) – an affection that looks initially returned. — Lisa Kennedy, The Know, "Review: The accent is on the hilarious at the Denver Center’s “Twelfth Night”," 30 Nov. 2019 The #YangGang calls out instances when their candidate is left off mainstream media infographics — neglect that only feeds their ardor. — Wesley Yang, Twin Cities, "Wesley Yang: What Andrew Yang means with his ‘Asian who likes math’ line," 28 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ardor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Ardor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ardor. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for ardor

ardor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ardor

: a strong feeling of energy or eagerness

: a strong feeling of love

See the full definition for ardor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ardor

ar·dor | \ ˈär-dər

\

Kids Definition of ardor

1 : warmth of feeling the ardor of young love

2 : great eagerness : zeal … Amy fell to painting with undiminished ardor.— Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

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