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 The relationship of the pop star and the football player has thrilled and fascinated millions around the world — particularly the Swifties, the pop star’s enormous and ardent fan base — ever since the pair first started dating in 2023. ABC News, 3 July 2026 Even the most ardent defenders of this basics-first approach acknowledge that some buildings will never be habitable without active cooling. Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Kyiv and its allies may be feeling pretty good about the present state of the war with Russia, but an intense historical feud has reignited, threatening relations between Ukraine and one of its most ardent backers. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 June 2026 The ardent soccer fan, 56, had just been in Foxborough, Massachusetts, for his country’s first World Cup match in 28 years. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Yet what elevates The Daily Show, and produced so many offspring, is that its point of view is obvious and passionate—without shading into outright campaigning.
    Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Playing in front of a passionate home Mexican crowd, Jimenez had an excellent tournament, leading the line for Javier Aguirre’s side.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Adjective
  • A student of history and avid collector of tapestries, Ormund sees himself as a scholar, as Alicent (Olivia Cooke) describes to Rhaenyra in the fourth episode.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • As an avid cyclist, Huckle liked the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail from Torrance to Pacific Palisades.
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 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
  • Of all the dietary supplements out there, creatine is perhaps the one with the most fervent fan base.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 July 2026
  • England versus Mexico was an all-time epic played in one of sports’ most fervent atmospheres at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • China, the world's top crude importer, has not been particularly enthusiastic about purchasing Iranian oil, despite traditionally being the main buyer of the country's energy.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • None of these kids sits at the top of the Australian rankings, but behind them is a team of enthusiastic parents who formed a non-profit – Red Dirt Australian Rodeo – to raise money for the trip.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Set in the immigrant neighborhoods of 1950s Brooklyn, Miller’s searing tragedy explores the tensions between devotion and desire, justice and loyalty, and the promise and pressures of the American Dream.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 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
  • Nguyen was excited to enjoy a warm summer outdoors before the smoke left her hesitant to step outside for her routine runs to the National Mall and daily walks with her dog.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • McKeon was excited to explore her chemistry with executive producer Gina Wendkos, who worked on the show alongside Tom Palmer, Jonathan Axelrod, James Widdoes and Amy Sherman-Palladino.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ardent

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