élan

noun

Definition of élannext
as in zeal

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of élan But these artists skillfully infuse every note with passion and gritty elan. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Dec. 2025 Schwartzman, though, is comic gold as an inappropriate inlaw while Sessa brightens things up as a broken-hearted sop who insinuates himself with all the elan of a Lab puppy into the neighbor’s next door household. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 Khrushchev sought to revive revolutionary elan and push the USSR to the final stage of history, the transition from socialism to communism, during which the state apparatus would finally wither away. — Benjamin Nathans september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025 The rule at these gatherings is to move with a semblance of elan. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for élan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for élan
  1. zeal
  2. fervor
  3. verve
  4. brio
  5. gusto
  6. vigor
  7. ardor
  8. vitality
Noun
  • Legendary computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton warned AI could wipe out humanity as a mere byproduct of its zeal to accomplish a more innocent task.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Halas leaned into the new job with zeal, using his earlier barnstorming connections to both recruit and coach players, while organizing a makeshift league called the American Professional Football Association.
    — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of zeal
Noun
  • Russia has been pursuing the same goals with a similar fervor.
    — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The star has dedicated himself with the fervor of a holy crusader to the notion that, to quote his ex-wife, we are not just entertained but reborn when the lights go down and our collective dreams show up onscreen.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fervor
Noun
  • The combat scenes, frequently pitting Latif’s sharpened steel against more popular American weaponry, are staged with whirling verve, wit and, best of all, balletic coherence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • These retain a striking amount of verve and complexity, and taste fresh enough to use raw.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of verve
Noun
  • And surrounding all the onstage brio is, at long last, an equally vibrant space.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
  • In recent years, his expansive designing brio has expanded to cars with BMW, boats with Cigarette Racing and a private Kith padel club in Manhattan’s West Village that includes an Erewhon tonic bar.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
Definition of brio
Noun
  • Taurus The full moon is a moment to pause and reflect, which is tricky for someone with as much gusto as you.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The affable Belgian designer applied twisting, wrapping and textile manipulation with gusto to Diesel as well, in addition to plenty of fabric experimentation and trompe-l’oeil effects.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of gusto
Noun
  • To prepare to lead in these areas, CISOs must approach AI readiness with the same vigor and care as AI adoption, building the skills, judgment and development opportunities employees need to govern AI effectively.
    — Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As Doo-sik, Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo is delivering the show’s defining performance with such vigor and charisma that Stone’s hand is, whether intentionally or not, tipped.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of vigor
Noun
  • There’s Tom Crutchfield, who loves women with the ardor of Pepé Le Pew but spends most of his time not in pursuit of the ladies but of exotic snakes, lizards, alligators, turtles and whatnot.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Or Ada, the focus of Desacroux’s ardor and obsession after a rapturous night five years prior?
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of ardor
Noun
  • Creativity is at the heart of our fashion system, and seeing a new generation of designers bring their talent, energy and creative vision to our week is a strong expression of its vitality.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • And social media is inundated with questions about the 80-year-old president's health and vitality, spurred by pictures of his bruised hands or video clips of him appearing to fall asleep in meetings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of vitality

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Cite this Entry

“élan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/%C3%A9lan. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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