zeal

play

noun \ˈzēl\

Definition of zeal

: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : fervor her zeal to succeed strained her relationships

See zeal defined for English-language learners

See zeal defined for kids

Examples of zeal in a Sentence

… he was uncomfortable with their lavish parties and their collector's zeal for the most expensive, most ostentatious brand names—Rolex and Prada and Farragamo. —Anne Tyler, Digging to America, 2006
In 1248, channelling his piety into crusading zeal, Louis embarked on the Seventh Crusade, against the wishes of the Pope and against the judgement of his counsellors. —Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
He showed his anatomical zeal by robbing a wayside gibbet, smuggling the bones back home and reconstructing the skeleton. —Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, 1997

Recent Examples of zeal from the Web

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the chairman of the panel, has shown an increasing zeal for pursuing the question after an uncertain start.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "In Trump-Russia investigation, 4 senators to watch", 30 May 2017
Douglass said, speaking of the Confederacy and the zeal of its leaders to preserve the institution of slavery.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "The debate over Confederate monuments shows how far the U.S. has to go", 30 May 2017
Related: Police have also expressed more serious concerns about safety, considering the teenagers' zeal for ambushing or fleeing each other.

— erin richards, USA TODAY, "Elaborate squirt-gun game has teens competing and running naked in the suburbs", 26 May 2017
Their zeal gives them some of the hallmarks of a cult: individuality is sacrificed for the greater good and orders are followed with few questions.

— jim wyss, miamiherald, "With peace in sight, a guerrilla in Colombia faces a choice. FARC or family?", 26 May 2017
To see the West Bank and East Jerusalem today, as Chabon and Waldman’s contributors did, is to encounter a military occupation that is deeply entrenched, while settlers, filled with zeal, are constantly and steadily expanding their enterprise.

— gal beckerman, New York Times, "50 Years On, Stories of the Six Day War and What Came After", 22 May 2017
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile are the Draconians who think up rules even Melvin Belli couldn’t get around and enforce them with such zeal a Catholic school nun would shake her head at the injustice.

— tony borroz, WIRED, "Surprise! The New F1 Cars Aren’t Ugly", 23 Jan. 2009

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

Origin and Etymology of zeal

Middle English zele, from Late Latin zelus, from Greek zēlos

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of zeal

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

ZEAL Defined for English Language Learners

zeal

play

noun

Definition of zeal for English Language Learners

: a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

ZEAL Defined for Kids

zeal

play

noun \ˈzēl\

Definition of zeal for Students

: eager desire to get something done or see something succeed Feeling better, she attacked her homework with renewed zeal. — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy