plural passions
1
often capitalized
a
: the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death
b
: an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion
Bach's St. Matthew Passion
2
obsolete
: suffering
3
: the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces
moldable and not moldable … and many other passions of matter—
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon4
a(1)
: emotion
his ruling passion is greed
(2)
passions plural
: the emotions as distinguished from reason
a study of the passions
b
: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
with enough passion to make a great poet—W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats
c
: an outbreak of anger
a crime of passion
Synonyms
Examples of passion in a Sentence
If anyone had asked me what my passions were, I would have said building fires, climbing cliffs, going on long hikes in the woods …
—Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001
The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths.
—James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997
The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures.
—Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994
Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game.
—Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work.
a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress
Her performance is full of passion and originality.
She spoke with passion about preserving the building.
The crime was committed in a fit of passion.
Music has always been his passion.
She developed a passion for opera.
a student with a passion for literature
See More
Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001
The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths.
—James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997
The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures.
—Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994
Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game.
—Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work.
a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress
Her performance is full of passion and originality.
She spoke with passion about preserving the building.
The crime was committed in a fit of passion.
Music has always been his passion.
She developed a passion for opera.
a student with a passion for literature
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Step 1: Purpose Profiling Engage in a dialogue: Initiate honest and deep conversations with employees to uncover what ignites their passion.
—Ira Wolfe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
From their passion for collecting albums and musical equipment to their unwavering support of Black artists, Giants offers a rare look into the Deans’ expansive collecting history.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Nov. 2023
His and Sedgwick's passion has also been carried on to their daughter Sosie, 31, and son Travis, 34.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Along the way, Nguyễn documented some of the menu research and development and posted mouthwatering previews, creating content that channeled her passion and ultimately resonated with diners.
—Tiffany Tse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2023
After former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died at home in Plains, Georgia, locals remembered her kindness and passion for their community.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
And sometimes, like Andre, an artist may decide to pursue their next passion altogether.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2023
Audiences in Torun are serious about their passion for film – and their opinions.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
The Seidler Equity Partners co-founder's passion for the sport began at a young age.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
Ira Wolfe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
From their passion for collecting albums and musical equipment to their unwavering support of Black artists, Giants offers a rare look into the Deans’ expansive collecting history.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Nov. 2023
His and Sedgwick's passion has also been carried on to their daughter Sosie, 31, and son Travis, 34.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Along the way, Nguyễn documented some of the menu research and development and posted mouthwatering previews, creating content that channeled her passion and ultimately resonated with diners.
—Tiffany Tse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2023
After former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died at home in Plains, Georgia, locals remembered her kindness and passion for their community.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
And sometimes, like Andre, an artist may decide to pursue their next passion altogether.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2023
Audiences in Torun are serious about their passion for film – and their opinions.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023
The Seidler Equity Partners co-founder's passion for the sport began at a young age.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'passion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing passion
Articles Related to passion
Dictionary Entries Near passion
Cite this Entry
“Passion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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passion
noun
pas·sion
ˈpa-shən 
: intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion
especially
: any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection see also heat of passion
More from Merriam-Webster on passion
Nglish: Translation of passion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of passion for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about passion
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