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 In another sign that Ukraine is changing minds in Washington, ardent Trump ally Laura Loomer met with Zelenskt in Kyiv on Thursday. Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 In another sign that Ukraine is changing minds in Washington, ardent Trump ally Laura Loomer met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday. ABC News, 24 July 2026 The series offers viewers insight into a setting — interwar Asia — and themes that should be novel to all but the most ardent historians. David Faris, TheWeek, 23 July 2026 An ardent advocate for diversity, Kurner was at the forefront of a major renovation of the building in 2022. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Demián is a tireless advocate for immigrants and Danny is a passionate champion of Latino voices and stories.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The twelve-time Olympic medalist is passionate about making sure that people like her are not kept out of the pool because of their condition.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Griffin is the daughter of Kimberly Griffin, a concessionaire at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and an avid reader of this newsletter.
    Adam Beam, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Most notably, banks and fintech companies have been first movers, looking to capitalize on younger, avid fanbases.
    Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 July 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
  • After spending last summer in the heat of Hong Kong and South Korea, where the Tottenham supporter base is large and fervent, opting for Australia and New Zealand offered a welcome change of pace.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier in the day, rising star Sienna Spiro performed on the Airbnb stage, which was packed with fervent fans who sang along to her cuts from debut album, Visitor.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Allen was enthusiastic about contributing on special teams when asked about it earlier in the week.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • However, there is such a thing as being overly enthusiastic, so check yourself if need be.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But just as staggering was one of the overnight lows, which dipped to only a searing 97 degrees F (36 degrees C)—a tie for the hottest low that the city’s ever seen, a record first set just three years ago.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 July 2026
  • But another breakdown, an hour west of Seligman, stranded me in the searing heat.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 July 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
  • This is because patients are increasingly excited to use wearables and other devices to gather more information and metrics regarding their own health.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • These very same donors, Eustis said, are the ones who feel most excited to be sitting among the citizenry in Central Park, watching the beauty of public art unfold in a joyous communal atmosphere.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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