Definition of ardentnext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ardent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ardent are fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is fervent a more appropriate choice than ardent?

The words fervent and ardent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is it sensible to use fervid instead of ardent?

While the synonyms fervid and ardent are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of ardent?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardent, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When could passionate be used to replace ardent?

In some situations, the words passionate and ardent are roughly equivalent. However, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When might perfervid be a better fit than ardent?

The meanings of perfervid and ardent largely overlap; however, perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

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 ardent Instead, Khamenei’s death brought out the Islamic Republic’s ardent supporters. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Again, the room rewarded the actor’s rallying cry with ardent applause. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Zendaya, an ardent tabi fab herself, is on a quest to funk up her collection. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 There is always a vegetarian option, but this really is a place for ardent carnivores, who are encouraged each evening to watch as Patagonian lambs (or other regional produce) are cooked over an open fire in a smoky room by the kitchen. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • The colors are dour and muted, and the yearnings of the two elder Dashwood sisters—the self-abnegating Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the passionate Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles, a gimlet-eyed standout)—often play out in drearily candlelit rooms.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Bulgari staff is notably passionate about this garden and volunteers there on a regular basis.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Suarez was an avid runner, having completed races with the New York Road Runners.
    — Kelsie Cairns , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Still, the designer is an avid collector and had some pieces sitting in storage like the BDDW sofa, purchased at auction, that’s now in her living room.
    — Sallie Lewis, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Friday’s loss illustrated the power of fervent, constant rebounding to sway the momentum of a game.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • At the time, the sequel to the 2005 film wasn’t confirmed, and the ensemble made the anticipation that much more fervent.
    — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • During the day, activities center around lectures, delivered by enthusiastic expedition team members.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Six months later, management wonders why someone who was once among its most enthusiastic employees seems disengaged.
    — Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Why the ridiculous prices are worth it Bob Baffert grabs a water out of a nearby cooler to keep the searing heat and humidity at bay.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Interviews are supplemented with archival clips of Perry’s screen work and interviews, and some of the show’s most searing material is conveyed in the actor’s own (previously recorded and publicized) voice.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • For both programs there is ample reason to get excited all over again.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In the meantime, please join me in congratulating this new leadership team…I’m incredibly excited to get going.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster