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 But he is reassured by the president's longstanding friendship with Cuban Americans who are among his most ardent supporters. CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Consider the book a must for the most ardent fashion lovers in your life—not to mention the perfect way to wish Grace a happy 85th birthday today. Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026 Lively Mars energizes your 9th House of Travel, sextiling ardent Pluto in your 7th House of Connections. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026 The secretary’s most ardent critics worry the show will only serve as a greater amplifier of misinformation. Joseph Choi, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • The situation involving Stamps is noteworthy in part because her mother, Marion Nzinga Stamps, was a passionate community activist at the Cabrini-Green public housing complex who was known to confront officials to press her case.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • The somms here are passionate and eager to help find the right wine for you.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • History buffs, avid hikers, music lovers, wine aficionados, and beach bums will all find a town to love in the Old Dominion.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
  • Great big swaths of the audience are singing every song, every lyric, with maximum commitment and a kind of avid purity, one that extends to impassioned hand gestures and — of course — an ongoing cascade of tears.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 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
  • Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • Skaters ages 6-11 showed off their nose grinds, kickflips and wall rides to an enthusiastic early crowd.
    Tony Le Calvez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Steppenwolf and Circle Rep, with their combination of theatrical fearlessness, searing intensity and rabid teamwork, helped shape Mantello’s aesthetic.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • Mikey lambastes him anyway, turning a speech in praise of Richie into a searing evisceration.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 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
  • There have been attempts to cast a Real Housewives in Chicago and Napa, and Cohen was particularly excited about a version in Boca Raton, FL.
    Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
  • People are really excited about it.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

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