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 The owners of Santafé and Sunflower hope ardent soccer fans will take notice and turn out to support their area’s grassroots clubs. Pj Green may 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026 One was from a neighbor sick of mowing her double lot, another from a couple of ardent gardeners whose failing health kept them inside. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 But for many of the President’s most ardent backers, these endeavors have actually fallen short. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 28 May 2026 Base was an ardent supporter of the rap genre, explaining to The Times in 1989 the nuance of the music. Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Bonner brought the bull market with him to CSUF, bringing his pressing, pestering and passionate style of play to a fanbase starved for success.
    Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
  • Madison Square Garden is set to be filled to the brim Monday night with passionate Knicks fans decked out in their orange and blue pride, but eyes may be on what two of the most powerful New Yorkers will be doing during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mage — himself an avid collector — said that emotional connection was intentional from the beginning.
    Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
  • The original shoes were gifted to her by LeBron James — a newly avid golfer and fan of Korda’s — but the spacing in them felt roomier than her everyday pair.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 4 June 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
  • But the team that lines up against Argentina on Tuesday at Kansas City Stadium (née Arrowhead Stadium) also has a fervent fan base.
    Pete Grathoff June 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
  • The 23-year-old from Michigan, who claimed his first Cup Series victory in April, possesses a combination of talent and confidence that attracts a fervent following.
    Time, Time, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The hardware required to contribute observations isn’t terribly expensive, and the process comes with detailed instructions, as well as enthusiastic support for rookies just getting started.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
  • The performance drew enthusiastic applause from fans who recognized familiar songs and cultural traditions.
    J.M. Banks June 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Standing at a podium in Washington last week, Missouri’s senior senator called on Republicans to regulate the artificial intelligence industry in a searing speech that cast the dangers of AI as a moral dilemma.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
  • With its brilliant white surface reflecting the searing Spanish sun, the cross that crowns the Tower of Jesus Christ (the other 17 towers are dedicated to the 12 apostles, four Evangelists and the Virgin Mary) is as tall as a five-story building and weighs around 100 tons.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 June 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
  • Players such as Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox and Knicks forward OG Anunoby don't sound nearly as excited.
    Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • Studiously moderated, but excited, voices amplified news of the actual invasion of Europe read hastily in Orlando Morning Sentinel.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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