Definition of ardentnext
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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 Some of Johnson’s most ardent sparring partners, those most conservative Republican lawmakers, turned their blame for the messy process not on Johnson’s leadership but on their own GOP allies across the Capitol in the Senate, who often dismiss the House’s work. Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 Bob Dylan and the Beatles were closer than even their most ardent fans may realize. Jim Windolf, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026 Kennedy, who has no background in science, medicine, or public health, is well known as an ardent anti-vaccine activist and peddler of conspiracy theories. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026 This is a lovely film that will appeal to Bernstein’s most ardent fans, while warmly inviting neophytes into his world. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Set in Los Angeles, the film follows AJ, a shy teenager who loves skateboarding and drawing, and Kristen, a passionate surfer.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 19 May 2026
  • Much of the film is set in and around a Parisian elder-care facility, and Hamaguchi guides us through its rooms and hallways, its meetings and rituals, with a patience and passionate granularity worthy of the late documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • An avid skier since childhood, William spent a holiday with his mom in Switzerland in March 1992.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Barker, 26, has spent the past few years amassing an avid fan base on YouTube with his sketch comedy channel, That’s a Bad Idea.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 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
  • Passionate flamenco, a fervent soccer culture, and a 24,000-seat bullring are woven into Madrid’s rich cultural tapestry.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 May 2026
  • The race to build data centers and deploy more complex AI systems that can complete tasks with limited oversight, known as agentic AI, has ignited fervent demand for central processing units, or CPUs.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The crowd was enthusiastic and somewhat glassy-eyed, and people lined up patiently to buy records and merchandise, and to get a chance to meet Rashad.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • Firebird Tours has also been an enthusiastic adopter of new technology and created a custom trip builder and travel app.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Oscar had shown me pages of this searing fiction periodically.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
  • While ferocious heat dominates the region for much of the year, the Sky Islands remain cool thanks to their high elevation, providing the perfect escape from the searing weather below.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 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
  • These customer success stories have got investors excited.
    David Prosser, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • A lot of kids were excited to see the live painting, because now kids are used to being on their phones.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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