fervor

noun fer·vor \ ˈfər-vər \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: fervor in a Sentence

Definition of fervor

1 : intensity of feeling or expression

booing and cheering with almost equal fervor
—Alan Rich

revolutionary fervor

2 : intense heat

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Examples of fervor in a Sentence

As Nina has grown more observant, Andras has become distanced from her. Her religious fervor doesn't interest him. Coming to tradition late, Nina has all the pedantry of an autodidact. Her strivings seem inauthentic to Andras, and not at all spiritual. —Allegra Goodman, Kaaterskill Falls, 1998
Certainly being the son of a pastor had contributed to Vincent's religiosity, but in time even his father was disturbed by the growing intensity of his son's fervor. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times Book Review, 12 Aug. 1990
In her renewed fervor, Norma fears that the past decade has turned women inward, away from one another, and away, too, from the notion that solidarity among women is ultimately a source of personal strength. —Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 6 July 1986
Reciting, her voice took on resonance and firmness, it rang with the old fervor, with ferocity even. —Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings, 1983
The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day.
The novel captures the revolutionary fervor of the period.

Recent Examples of fervor from the Web

No single theory has won out to explain why Alabama’s anti-gambling fervor may have ebbed.

— alan blinder, The Seattle Times, "Alabama’s longtime hostility to gambling shows signs of fading," 10 June 2018
But combat success for the Americans did not seem to sap the fervor of the communists, who saw this as a fight to the death against an occupying power.

— joel achenbach, Washington Post, "The men killed on a single, bloody day in Vietnam, and the haunting wall that memorializes them," 25 May 2018
Unless state lawmakers and regulators in the Midwest and North Atlantic are struck by a carbon fervor hitherto not in evidence, there’s good reason to think roughly the same mix will replace retirements in the near future.

— david roberts, Vox, "Half of America’s carbon-free electricity comes from nuclear. Here’s how to save it.," 10 May 2018
The script and lyrics, largely airlifted intact from an 1897 stage drama by the French playwright Charles Peguy, have the declamatory fervor of a passion play, with characters serving as philosophic mouthpieces rather than vessels of human drama.

— ty burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Before she was Joan of Arc," 9 May 2018
By his own admission, George W. Bush drank too much in his youth and gave his parents many headaches before a newfound religious fervor in his 40s changed his life.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Family: Former first lady Barbara Bush dies at 92," 18 Apr. 2018
This year, the Vegas Golden Knights created a buzz with the fervor and passion of their in-game entertainment.

— kevin allen, USA TODAY, "Predators' playoff celebration promises to be 'bigger and better than last year'," 12 Apr. 2018
Angkor Wat, say, or Notre Dame—Lalibela throbs with a living religious fervor.

— melissa twigg, Vogue, "Why Lalibela, Ethiopia, Is the Next Machu Picchu," 2 Apr. 2018
The top two vote getters will advance to the November contest, regardless of party, and the churning anti-Trump fervor in the Golden state has been a double-edged sword.

— maeve reston, CNN, "How a surge of progressive energy could backfire on Democrats in California," 31 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of fervor

Middle English fervour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French fervur, from Latin fervor, from fervēre — see fervent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

fervor Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of fervor

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