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 Neighborhoods won points for the warm tone of their posts, the frequency with which neighbors fulfilled requests for help and the ardent support of local businesses. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026 Now, even the invasion's most ardent supporters have been targeted. Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026 Crockett has built an ardent social-media following by presenting herself as a feisty avatar of resistance. Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026 Both her parents, Paolo and Antonella, are ardent art lovers with a particular fondness for Arte Povera. Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Companies like Acorn, which specializes in British TV, and Crunchyroll, devoted to anime, had built real businesses on niches with passionate fans.
    Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Was there one among you all that was kind of most passionate about getting this record done?
    Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Enameled Cast Iron Enameled cast iron is built to last—just ask anyone who's an avid collector of vintage Le Creuset pieces.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Guadagnino is an avid collector of furniture, chandeliers, paintings, and glassware, including works by Italian industrial designer Gio Ponti and the prolific architect Piero Portaluppi.
    Katherine McGrath, Vogue, 7 Mar. 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
  • This brilliant, vibrant woman was a singular candidate, who could turn out her fervent base for a win.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Kurdish towns were among the most fervent sites of protests in 2022 following the death in custody of a Kurdish-Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini.
    John Calabrese, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The line between enthusiastic support and invasive behavior can be thin, and Liu’s account suggests it got crossed.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
  • These free, family-friendly gatherings showcase classic and custom vehicles, offering visitors a window into American automotive culture and a chance to chat with enthusiastic local collectors.
    Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Built into a hillside to withstand the searing desert heat, the visitor center is run by friendly rangers who can provide information on what’s blooming, suggest where to get a bite to eat in town, and offer trail recommendations.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
  • To prepare trout, Walker suggests grilling, baking, or pan-searing it with simple seasonings like lemon, herbs, or garlic.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 Mar. 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
  • That’ll make everybody excited to compete against them.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As curator, my goal is to create exhibitions for our artists that provide them with the freedom to experiment and get excited about new ideas, and expand the idea of what art is and can be for our patrons.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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