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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 Sure, the idea that Taylor Swift could perform at the Super Bowl in February 2026 mostly exists as speculation being pushed by her most ardent fans. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025 Even the most ardent public school advocate should never say something like that. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 Toyota’s public image took a beating, alienating some of its most ardent supporters. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 10 Aug. 2025 In the Netflix dramedy Too Much, a brokenhearted American, Jess, makes the move across the pond, inspired in part by daydreams of stately castles, rolling green hills and dashing gentlemen professing their ardent admiration. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Miller is passionate about empowering others by providing information on the connection between physical health, lifestyle choices, and mental well-being.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Kaif Shaikh Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 76-year-old retired state employee, former gun store owner and avid elk hunter from La Grande, Oregon, is on a mission to keep turbines and transmission towers from blighting the rural landscape.
    Tony Schick, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Brown was an avid fitness enthusiast and amateur body builder who regularly worked out at Anytime Fitness in Forest Lake, Glader said.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
Adjective
  • The atmosphere was hostile and fervent.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • After all, the fervent demand for its turbines due to the generative AI boom has led to more upside for overall company sales.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The lecture series was one of Europe's most respected and always drew accomplished speakers and enthusiastic audiences from around the world.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • About 20,000 university students, throngs of enthusiastic visiting alumni, and the bustling tourist traffic ensure Boone has no slow season.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ahmed explained that the experience played a pivotal part in his accepting a role in Darius Marder's searing 2019 drama Sound of Metal, which earned the actor his first Oscar nomination.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • This workhorse is made from durable cast iron that expertly distributes and retains heat for even cooking and better searing.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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
  • Plus, the service lost subscribers last quarter—a show people are excited about could lure back some whose bundles expired.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Like her popular work with Timberland, which includes glossy, patent leather versions of the brand’s boots and a 14-inch heel, Carter’s Nike debut wasn’t afraid to take chances, which has us even more excited for what’s to come next from the collaboration.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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