1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word avid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of avid are anxious, athirst, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

When might anxious be a better fit than avid?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

Where would athirst be a reasonable alternative to avid?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When could eager be used to replace avid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When is it sensible to use keen instead of avid?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

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 avid But to get an intimate sense of the land, book the four-bedroom Villa des Vignes, the ultimate perch for any avid Burgundy drinker. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025 Jared Bednar, an avid angler, likes to compare his hockey team over a long season to a boat. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 An avid walker and explorer, Laurence spent his days traveling around the city and shared his discoveries in emails to families and friends. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025 The landowner, who happened to be an avid collector of Native American artifacts, retrieved the skull and promptly reported the find to Chief Deputy Dan Becker on June 2, 2025. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avid
Adjective
  • Now, stepping in Kansas City is shifting to a younger crowd that is eager to learn how to do the dance and continue on the legacy.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fadaka-Soetan was one of the eager Lil Yachty fans that followed people onto the field and managed to get close to the stage alongside her friend, Brent.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Lemonheads have played Cambridge parties to enthusiastic crowds of over a hundred people.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Over 2,500 enthusiastic Google reviews helped propel Ocean Reef Park to its top-tier designation.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
    Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Both love rich, moist soil and neither one is greedy with space in the garden.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There are so many people who are excited to have me back in some capacity as Superman.
    Charles Infosino, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Today, scientists are extremely excited about how AI can be used to predict the way molecules interact, transforming areas like drug discovery and materials science.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Governments have turned to the Kremlin’s private mercenary army, the Africa Corps — formerly known as the Wagner Group — for protection.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The event was founded in 2016 by Queen Rania of Jordan, who has been an ardent supporter in bringing the nation’s artisan and craft capabilities to the international fore.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • And his explicit lyrics – most of which are in Spanish – would make even the most ardent free speech warrior cringe.
    Ediberto Román, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What Netanyahu wants is not this peace deal or avaricious annexations, but to stay in power.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But is better than the alternative of admitting to an avaricious Moscow that Ukraine must accept some kind of defeat.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Although nothing is imminent, club sources say the hierarchy are keen to find a successor and have held talks with a number of candidates.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Shouse says that touring with Frehley was a chance to see the guitarist’s keen sense of humor up close.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Avid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avid. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on avid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!