passionate

adjective

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pas·sion·ate | \ ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət

Definition of passionate

1a : easily aroused to anger a passionate but not a vicious boy— H. E. Scudder

b : filled with anger : angry was passionate in her defense of her cub, and rage transformed her— G. D. Brown

2a : capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling a passionate performance a passionate coach

b : enthusiastic, ardent is passionate about basketball

3 : swayed by or affected with sexual desire a passionate love affair

Other Words from passionate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about passionate

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Choose the Right Synonym for passionate

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 passionate in a Sentence

He gave a passionate speech on tax reform. She has a passionate interest in animal rights. She is passionate about art. We were moved by his passionate plea for forgiveness.

Recent Examples on the Web The late actor starred in the film as the fictional character Levee Green, a passionate and ambitious trumpeter in Ma Rainey's blues band with big dreams. — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, "Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Accepted His Gotham Award With An Emotional Tribute," 12 Jan. 2021 But Trump has a passionate and large base of supporters in South Florida. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "As Trump leaves office, South Florida is poised to become his new ‘MAGA’ capital," 26 Dec. 2020 Our brief, but passionate, love affair wasn't built to last. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Selena Gomez Wore the Perfect Dainty Necklace And You Can Still Shop It For the Holidays," 22 Dec. 2020 What resonated with me the most was how resilient, passionate and bold these young activists were. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Theater and social justice are a perfect match for San Diego artist and activist," 19 Dec. 2020 These personal, passionate and varied efforts have improved countless lives and spurred progress on some of the country’s toughest challenges, from polio to educational opportunity for low-income families. — Elise Westhoff, WSJ, "The Left Wants a Philanthropy of the Few," 14 Dec. 2020 This year, ideas and arguments about tone indicators have generated sprawling and passionate conversation online. — New York Times, "Tone Is Hard to Grasp Online. Can Tone Indicators Help?," 9 Dec. 2020 Over his many decades of public service, Sen. Sarbanes was a sincere and passionate advocate for our state and its natural resources. — Keith Demko, USA TODAY, "Paul Sarbanes, longtime US senator from Maryland, dies at age 87," 7 Dec. 2020 Allyson Gamble was remembered Saturday as a cheerful and passionate advocate for the Utah Capitol, known as The People’s House. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Longtime Utah Capitol director Allyson Gamble has died unexpectedly," 5 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passionate.' 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

14 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passionate. Accessed 25 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for passionate

passionate

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of passionate

: having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs

: expressing or relating to strong sexual or romantic feelings

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

passionate

adjective

pas·sion·ate | \ ˈpa-shə-nət

Kids Definition of passionate

1 : showing or affected by strong feeling a passionate performance “Not like cats!” cried the Mouse in a shrill, passionate voice. “Would YOU like cats if you were me?”— Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

2 : easily caused to feel strong emotions a passionate person

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