Synonyms of enthusiasm

enthusiasm

noun

in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm 

1

as in latest

a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time

this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• latest
• craze
• trend
• rage
• vogue
• style
• buzz
• fashion
• mode
• sensation
• ton
• flavor
• last word
• fad
• chic
• go
• fervor
• hot ticket
• dernier cri
• infatuation
• crusade
• passion
• movement
• fuss
• novelty
• new wave
• to-do
• crush
• cult
• furor
• bandwagon
• nine days' wonder
• hullabaloo
• uproar
• whim
• wrinkle
• caprice
• fancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• standard
• classic

2

as in thirst

urgent desire or interest

in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thirst
• excitement
• appetite
• eagerness
• hunger
• impatience
• desirousness
• ardor
• passion
• lust
• avidity
• keenness
• ambition
• zeal
• avidness
• alacrity
• zest
• readiness
• gusto
• quickness
• warmth
• willingness
• fervency
• appetence
• appetency
• amenability

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• apathy
• nonchalance
• insouciance
• unconcern
• casualness
• detachment
• aloofness
• languor
• impassivity
• lukewarmness
• languidness
• halfheartedness

3

as in intensity

depth of feeling

spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intensity
• emotion
• warmth
• intenseness
• passion
• passionateness
• zeal
• violence
• fervor
• excitement
• ardor
• fervency
• heat
• fire
• vehemence
• tenderness
• compassion
• responsiveness
• ardency
• white heat
• sympathy
• fervidness
• sentimentality
• eagerness
• earnestness
• zest
• gusto
• emotionality
• sentiment
• emotionalism
• obsession
• infatuation
• fanaticism
• histrionics
• keenness
• mawkishness
• cathexis
• fever
• melodrama
• mania
• sappiness
• hot-bloodedness
• torridity
• torridness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insensitivity
• insensibility
• impassiveness
• impassivity
• reticence
• indifference
• insensitiveness
• composure
• calmness
• dryness
• aloofness
• apathy
• taciturnity
• reserve
• phlegm
• stoicism
• unconcern
• stoniness
• insensibleness
• stiffness
• reservedness
• collectedness
• coolness
• coldness
• detachedness
• frigidity
• chilliness
• woodenness
• frigidness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun enthusiasm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enthusiasm are ardor, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When would ardor be a good substitute for enthusiasm?

While in some cases nearly identical to enthusiasm, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might fervor be a better fit than enthusiasm?

The synonyms fervor and enthusiasm are sometimes interchangeable, but fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could passion be used to replace enthusiasm?

While the synonyms passion and enthusiasm are close in meaning, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

Where would zeal be a reasonable alternative to enthusiasm?

The words zeal and enthusiasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of enthusiasm

The enthusiasm has also triggered a wave of retail participation. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 May 2026

Mark’s enthusiasm and humor were off the charts. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 11 May 2026

Parents matched their offspring’s enthusiasm. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Not everyone shares his enthusiasm. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026