Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fervor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fervor are ardor, enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could ardor be used to replace fervor?

In some situations, the words ardor and fervor are roughly equivalent. However, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might enthusiasm be a better fit than fervor?

The words enthusiasm and fervor can be used in similar contexts, but enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When is it sensible to use passion instead of fervor?

The meanings of passion and fervor largely overlap; however, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

When would zeal be a good substitute for fervor?

While in some cases nearly identical to fervor, zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 fervor Most were only available for 24 hours and contained exclusive acoustic versions, demos, and voice messages that fueled fan fervor. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025 For single-person households with a fervor for espresso, look to De’Longhi’s Magnifica Evo as your do-it-all coffee maker. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 The legacy trade preference program lapsed Tuesday without a renewal from Congress, shocking some and disappointing many, including lawmakers, importers and the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) exporters and heads of state who have been lobbying with mounting fervor for an extension. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025 But with social media fervor comes rumors. Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • Despite the general enthusiasm around its private market ambitions, investors are keeping a close eye on expense growth, which determines how much of those higher fees trickle down to the bottom line.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The Measured Future of AI For all the enthusiasm around generative AI, Brittan is careful to ground expectations.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The property features Techno Gym equipment (the gym girlies that get it, get it), as well as high-intensity fitness classes and sauna/steam room.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The research team also revealed that the system is optimized for 625 parametric building designs covering different energy use intensities (EUI) and geometric configurations, defined by façade area-to-volume, length-to-width, and height-to-footprint ratios.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Thus, current fears reinforce a pre-existing localism, and infuse it with new and intense emotions.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Yet neuroscience shows us that perception is biased, emotions hijack reasoning, and threat‑detection systems, like the amygdala, can overreact.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The country’s Afro-Portuguese history, its position as a more affordable European destination compared to France or Italy, and its genuine warmth toward international visitors have created the perfect storm.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This box-stitch quilt is available in the full/queen size, and it’s handcrafted and filled with polyester batting for plush warmth every night.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Although the Peacock adaptation didn't show a full shot of Gacy in his clown costume, the series included scenes of him talking about his passion for dressing up as a clown and publicly performing as one.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • But Saft’s true passion is for diamonds in the rough.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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