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
  • The Leipzig scenes are both ephemeral and integral; later, Taro will speculate that if the Germans had had the same revolutionary zeal as the Spanish, Hitler might have been defeated.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Even the newcomers to this season’s Bears quickly noticed a way of doing things that felt purposeful and full of zeal.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of zeal
Noun
  • Meanwhile, those in Boulder are eager to see if Sanders can replicate the fervor of the first two years of his tenure, when visitors flooded the picturesque Pearl Street Mall.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That fervor might be enough reason to declare KPop Demon Hunters a contemporary classic and worthy of Criterion status.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fervor
Noun
  • In terms of driving verve, the Accord certainly has the edge over the Corolla and is a better family vehicle because of its superior cabin and cargo space.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Neighboring Eastern Caribbean music styles—Bouyon from Dominica, Jab Jab tunes from Grenada—are staples in Antigua, adding to the frenetic verve on the road.
    — Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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
  • The story was retold again a couple months later in 2009, but with less gusto.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Pierre and Chandler play off each other with gusto and finesse.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of gusto
Noun
  • Cutting back is done in mid-summer when foliage looks ragged and blooming slows to increase plant vigor, control height, and encourage a second flush of blooms.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Kittle, seven weeks since tearing his right Achilles in a wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia, was seen conditioning with vigor and impressive agility on a side field earlier this week.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 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
  • Having your full vitality restored to you after a long period of feeling drained, lacking in confidence, and low on gas deserves a full celebration.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Posture is often more important than vitality, since deathblows can be activated even if an enemy has high health, but higher health also aids faster posture recovery, both for Wolf and his enemies.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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