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 There is always a vegetarian option, but this really is a place for ardent carnivores, who are encouraged each evening to watch as Patagonian lambs (or other regional produce) are cooked over an open fire in a smoky room by the kitchen. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 One of West’s ardent supporters, Con Lunn, grew up in an old mining town outside of Sheffield as a Sheffield United fan. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 Germany has been one of the most ardent supporters of Ukraine since the early days of the Russian invasion, supplying both military and financial aid. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 Which one of these subtle, touching novels is guaranteed to live up to my ardent report? — Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • The Bigger Picture Netflix animation execs are passionate about their job and percipient.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder have followed in their famous grandmother’s footsteps, passionate about both beauty and entrepreneurialism.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Kreiz is an avid kite surfer whose post-college job was as an instructor at a Club Med and is fond of recalling the story of delivering his baby daughter in the back of a car in front of Paddington Station in London.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has long been an avid video game player.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 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
  • In keeping with the film‘s maximalist vibe, the noise around it keeps whipsawing in different directions, with defenders calling it a misunderstood masterpiece and detractors equally fervent in calling it a complete artistic disaster.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In almost every neighborhood of the city, you’re bound to bump into vendors who have set up shop near parks, subway stations, and bars looking to meet the fervent demand for soccer kits, Styles swag and Knicks gear.
    — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Downtown restaurant Kato, a repeat on the World’s 50 Best list in recent years, was an early and enthusiastic adopter of NA pairings.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The ire of everyday citizens continues to increase against a backdrop of enthusiastic and deep-pocketed Wall Street investors betting artificial intelligence is the economic engine of the future.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • After winning the prestigious Golden Eye, Plambech returns with another searing analysis of the immigrant experience.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The durable porcelain enamel exterior resists chipping and cracking, while the matte black interior enhances browning and searing.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 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
  • Everyone is excited for the vacation, except for Shannon and Carmella, who both have valid reasons.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors have said Birchmore was excited about her pregnancy and gave Farwell updates about her due date, ultrasounds, doctor appointments and a gender reveal.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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