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
• go
• chic
• fervor
• hot ticket
• dernier cri
• infatuation
• crusade
• passion
• movement
• fuss
• novelty
• new wave
• to-do
• crush
• nine day wonder
• 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 country wasn’t being run, and laws weren’t being made, by people who endorse the idea of submissive women with great enthusiasm. —Megan Angelo, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025

What was he supposed to do, praise the enthusiasm of the huge crowds protesting against him? —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025

This enthusiasm seems to stem partly from admiration for the can-do ingenuity of Costco’s business model. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Stocks remain near record highs thanks, in large part, to enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025