Definition of ferventnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fervent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fervent are ardent, fervid, impassioned, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When might ardent be a better fit than fervent?

While in some cases nearly identical to fervent, ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

Where would fervid be a reasonable alternative to fervent?

While the synonyms fervid and fervent are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When is impassioned a more appropriate choice than fervent?

The meanings of impassioned and fervent largely overlap; however, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When could passionate be used to replace fervent?

The words passionate and fervent can be used in similar contexts, but passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When would perfervid be a good substitute for fervent?

Although the words perfervid and fervent have much in common, 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 fervent The reality is that Medicare and Social Security enjoy fervent public support. Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 The film grossed nearly $800 million, and has developed a fervent following within the Nolan fan base — and Spielberg is right there with them. Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026 Still, both led to fervent conversation peppered with oh-my-gods. Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Dellenger counted Baker and leaders of the Big 12 and ACC as the most fervent supporters. Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervent
Adjective
  • Law enforcement made passionate pleas for parents and children alike to take gun safety more seriously.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latter is a nonstarter, given that Baker is a passionate defender of cinemas.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Apr. 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
  • But with warm weather and wildfire season ahead, community leaders would prefer to see a full reservoir even if the water isn’t suitable for drinking.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The 2026 allergy season is objectively worse than last year’s, driven by warmer temperatures and rising CO2 levels pushing plants to produce more pollen than ever before.
    Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Gomes suggests grilling, baking, or pan-searing salmon (as well as other fish, such as cod or halibut) with olive oil, fresh herbs, and a generous squeeze of lemon to highlight its natural flavor.
    Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
  • On a searing hot day in Mattiyarenthal, a village in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, women farmers toil over chile pepper plants as their sharp, pungent scent fills the air.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 20 Apr. 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
  • El Niño features unusually hot ocean waters near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, along with significant changes to global weather patterns and the planet’s climate.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
  • That same trial found five minutes of daily steam inhalation produced real reductions in symptom burden — a hot shower works just as well for most people.
    Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Consider the book a must for the most ardent fashion lovers in your life—not to mention the perfect way to wish Grace a happy 85th birthday today.
    Vogue, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Lively Mars energizes your 9th House of Travel, sextiling ardent Pluto in your 7th House of Connections.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fervent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervent. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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