Definition of enthusiasmnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun enthusiasm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enthusiasm are ardor, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When would ardor be a good substitute for enthusiasm?

While in some cases nearly identical to enthusiasm, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might fervor be a better fit than enthusiasm?

The synonyms fervor and enthusiasm are sometimes interchangeable, but fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could passion be used to replace enthusiasm?

While the synonyms passion and enthusiasm are close in meaning, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

Where would zeal be a reasonable alternative to enthusiasm?

The words zeal and enthusiasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 enthusiasm All through the years in between, his willful yet easy-looking dominance carried his game to new heights of public enthusiasm, the sight of a charming, unmatchable demigod inspiring millions of ordinary Americans to hit the links. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 With signature, irrepressible enthusiasm, the sisters help viewers see precisely what makes the shows and dancers so extraordinary. Scot Paltrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026 But the embrace of cryptocurrencies has not been without controversy, and some observers fear the enthusiasm for digital coins is ripe for abuse. Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026 OpenClaw’s nascent success exemplifies how China’s official embrace of advanced technology can translate into grassroots enthusiasm as Beijing pursues domestic growth and an ambitious global agenda. CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enthusiasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthusiasm
Noun
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • These latests features are designed for enterprises who want to integrate their AI technology with either existing Salesforce data or even their own data.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Desperate from thirst, Husayn rode out of the camp with his infant son to appeal for water, but an enemy archer shot an arrow through the child’s neck.
    Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
  • As spring replaces winter’s chill, more people are reaching for a mix of spirits and mixers to quench their thirst.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Their intensity and compression of timescale require curatorial decisions to be shaped by different tempos of attention.
    Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • This matters because mitragynine is a weak opioid, while 7OH is a much stronger opioid, which can increase the intensity of the opioid effects and lead to overdose.
    Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The craze reached its apex in 1916, when Wall Street bettors wagered $10m (about $300m today) on the contest between President Woodrow Wilson and Charles Hughes — who, as governor of New York, had signed an anti-gambling law trying to ban the practice.
    Kelli María Korducki, thehustle.co, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Now, thanks to Zendaya fronting its anniversary campaign, the iconic collab is once again fueling a wave of nostalgic craze.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Managing Owner Jorge Mas expressed excitement for the team's future, even as construction continues on the final touches, from the building itself down to the seat numbers.
    Samantha Rivera, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, and mothers-to-be are often brimming with questions, many of them, unfortunately, based on myth and superstition.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • During the service, the archbishop and priests carried a cross down the cathedral’s center aisle in an emotions-stirring moment for those who witnessed the traditional procession.
    Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Lisa Lee meditates on translating emotion.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Eco effort Six Senses has long held the mantle for being ahead of the sustainability trend, and in Rome, the property was built to incorporate their ethos.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Just the same, the flip side of this is that baseball is notoriously fickle and often deceptive from one day to the next, with the line between coincidence and trend ever-blurry.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control, chickenpox, which is very contagious, often begins with symptoms like fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by an itchy rash.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Though most rank-and-file Republican lawmakers have remained outwardly supportive of the president, polls suggest that voters are souring on the conflict and have no appetite for a ground invasion.
    Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enthusiasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enthusiasm. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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