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 Instead, Khamenei’s death brought out the Islamic Republic’s ardent supporters. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Again, the room rewarded the actor’s rallying cry with ardent applause. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Zendaya, an ardent tabi fab herself, is on a quest to funk up her collection. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Their love story is passionate, funny, intellectual, and deeply alive, until a single, tragic wave on a beach in Oaxaca changes everything.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026
  • As the National Transportation Safety Board investigates what weather, mechanical or tactical factors caused the crash, family members and former mentors are remembering the young pilot as passionate and talented beyond her 20 years.
    — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The 49-year-old is also an avid hiker, mountain biker and skier, so Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle was another draw.
    — Sarah Kuta, Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Along with acting, Cerny was an avid racing fan who continued to drive go-karts into his 60s.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 10 Nov. 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
  • Friday’s loss illustrated the power of fervent, constant rebounding to sway the momentum of a game.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • At the time, the sequel to the 2005 film wasn’t confirmed, and the ensemble made the anticipation that much more fervent.
    — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The tipster warned that a small number of enthusiastic residents tend to appear over and over in media coverage, skewing public perceptions.
    — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The pontiff and singer wore enthusiastic grins in a snapshot taken during an audience at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • That was where the first responders found him—sitting calmly and cross-legged, insulated from the intrusive buzz and searing light of the world around him.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Why the ridiculous prices are worth it Bob Baffert grabs a water out of a nearby cooler to keep the searing heat and humidity at bay.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 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
  • Hargitay was excited to dive into such a strong storyline about the duo.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Planning the River screening, the first time the work would play in New York in nearly a dozen years, Barney was excited that some of Bepler’s score would be performed by live musicians.
    — Zachary Woolfe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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