Definition of fervornext

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 The love goes both ways; Fanning credits the fervor of the Hunger Games fanbase with helping her land the role of Effie Trinket. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 And then, about two decades ago, another wave of younger collectors emerged who helped spread the fervor around America, such as the fashion designer Reed Krakoff, Moda Operandi cofounder Lauren Santo Domingo, and Dasha Zhukova. Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026 In Year One, the Valkyries made history by reaching the playoffs and becoming the most valuable WNBA team, thanks to fan fervor surrounding the team. Jose Fabian, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Some analysts warn that instead of provoking discontent, the attacks could fuel stronger anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western fervor. ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • The convention -- part rally, part fundraiser -- comes as Republicans try to boost enthusiasm heading into the final stretch before Election Day.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The move was sure to spark criticism that the president was paying Americans to vote Republican as the party struggles to match Democrats’ enthusiasm and faces a challenging midterm outlook.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But that drop in intensity quickly veered into carelessness, with the defence failing to assert its composure amid loose passes and hapless communication mix-ups.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Local dimming and backlight zone control help manage brightness independently across different parts of the screen, allowing darker areas to appear deeper while bright highlights stand out with greater intensity.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Trauma and tragedies—such as the death of his parents, or periods of estrangement from his siblings—receive less scrutiny than the emotions unlocked by Virginia Woolf or Roland Barthes.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The bursts of comedy don’t lighten the mood, but instead sharpen the emotion and clarify the intensity, the way a shrewd joke might at a funeral.
    Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Soft neutral tones are lifted by a curved leather-and-wood headboard, striking blue wall art inspired by traditional Turkish textiles and elegant pendant lighting that gives the room warmth rather than hotel uniformity.
    Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Teacher kept her friends for a lifetime Barbara Edwards, 58, who grew up in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids, was a woman of character and warmth.
    Sheryl Lee, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Her passion, determination and single-minded focus had completed the deal.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The pallid grayness of Mike Eley’s cinematography is probably supposed to mimic the finality of HIV/AIDS taking hold, but there’s no passion aesthetically to counterbalance what becomes absolute misery onscreen to watch.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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