impassioned

adjective

im·​pas·​sioned im-ˈpa-shənd How to pronounce impassioned (audio)
: filled with passion or zeal : showing great warmth or intensity of feeling
Choose the Right Synonym for impassioned

impassioned, passionate, ardent, fervent, fervid, perfervid mean showing intense feeling.

impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

Examples of impassioned in a Sentence

Her lawyer made an impassioned argument in her defense. an impassioned plea for justice
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Nelson wrote an impassioned article for Time in September in recognition of his 101st birthday. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025 His impassioned speech provided clarity, which ultimately helped the Hoosiers pull out a grueling 20-15 win Saturday to improve to 5-0. Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 Egyptian-British blogger and activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah,rose to prominence as an impassioned voice in the Arab Spring uprising that toppled Egypt's veteran autocrat and has since become a symbol of the struggle for human rights in his country. Reuters, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025 John Oliver offered an impassioned defense of Jimmy Kimmel last night on Last Week Tonight. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impassioned

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impassioned was in 1603

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Cite this Entry

“Impassioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassioned. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

impassioned

adjective
im·​pas·​sioned
im-ˈpash-ənd
: showing very strong feeling
an impassioned speech

More from Merriam-Webster on impassioned

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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