Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

enthusiasm

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of enthusiasm

1 a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time
  • this yearʼs enthusiasm is often next yearʼs laughingstock
Synonyms of enthusiasm

buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, fad, fashion, flavor, go, hot ticket, last word, latest, mode, rage, sensation, style, ton, trend, vogue
Words Related to enthusiasm

nine days' wonder (also nine day wonder)

new wave

crush, infatuation

fervor, passion

furor, fuss, hullabaloo, to-do, uproar

bandwagon, crusade, cult, movement

novelty, wrinkle

caprice, fancy, whim
Near Antonyms of enthusiasm

classic, standard
2 urgent desire or interest
  • in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing
Synonyms of enthusiasm

appetite, ardor, avidity, avidness, desirousness, eagerness, excitement, hunger, impatience, keenness, lust, thirst
Words Related to enthusiasm

alacrity, quickness

ambition, gusto, zest

appetence, appetency, fervency, passion, warmth, zeal

amenability, readiness, willingness
Near Antonyms of enthusiasm

casualness, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

aloofness, detachment

impassivity, languidness, languor

halfheartedness, lukewarmness
Antonyms of enthusiasm

apathy, indifference
3 depth of feeling
  • spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm
Synonyms of enthusiasm

ardency, ardor, emotion, fervency, fervidness, fervor, fire, heat, intenseness, intensity, passion, passionateness, vehemence, violence, warmth, white heat
Words Related to enthusiasm

cathexis

emotionalism, emotionality, histrionics, mawkishness, melodrama, sappiness, sentimentality

eagerness, earnestness, excitement, gusto, keenness, zest

fanaticism, fever, hot-bloodedness, infatuation, mania, obsession, zeal

compassion, responsiveness, sentiment, sympathy, tenderness

torridity, torridness
Near Antonyms of enthusiasm

aloofness, calmness, collectedness, composure, detachedness, dryness, phlegm, reserve, reservedness, reticence, taciturnity

apathy, indifference, stoicism, stoniness, unconcern

stiffness, woodenness

chilliness, coldness, coolness, frigidity, frigidness
Antonyms of enthusiasm

impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, insensibleness, insensitiveness, insensitivity

Synonym Discussion of enthusiasm

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.
    • was a slave to his passions
fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.
    • read the poem aloud with great fervor
ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.
    • the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded
enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.
    • never showed much enthusiasm for sports
zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.
    • preaches with fanatical zeal

Learn More about enthusiasm

  1. See words that rhyme with enthusiasm Dictionary: Definition of enthusiasm Spanish Central: Translation of enthusiasm Nglish: Translation of enthusiasm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of enthusiasm for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up enthusiasm? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games