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 But the growing fervor for sardines hinges on something more superficial, literally and figuratively. Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 June 2026 But something about the telecasts from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar kept drawing him back, the passion, the nationalism, the fervor, the intensity, the jubilation, the humanity. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026 Now, though, the games and the fan fervor take over. Greg Cote june 10, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026 All of that has helped fuel the city’s fervor for the Knicks and turned Games 3 and 4 at the Garden into the hottest tickets in town. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • For much of her defining run, Lizzo was emblematic of an idyllic extramusical experiment, her songs a wellspring for yas queen enthusiasm.
    Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 16 June 2026
  • The Tartan Army of 2026 has journeyed to America with similar enthusiasm, and unrealistic expectations have been loaded upon the shoulders of McTominay.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Among them are several sustainability goals incentivizing Kering brands to adopt alternative materials like mycelium and to reduce the intensity of bovine leather products.
    Bella Webb, Vogue, 11 June 2026
  • The conflict that ensues is startling in the intensity of its violence, as bodies brawl and break in the mud, flaming torches are taken to the face, and red-hot blades are seared into flesh.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The effect isn’t to lampoon but to confront his raw emotion and to test his capacity for resilience.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Crime films often deal with complex emotions as characters grapple with the morality of their actions.
    Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Everything that had made her herself — the warmth, the animals, the cousins who stayed behind — was suddenly gone.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
  • The nurturing Moon enters your sign, lighting your 1st House of Identity, so your natural warmth and creativity feel easier to share without overthinking.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Surrounded by custom paintwork and gleaming chrome, Ugaz said the opportunity to share his passion and craftsmanship with the broader San Francisco community was especially meaningful given the stereotypes lowrider enthusiasts have faced over the years.
    Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 13 June 2026
  • Most people who go on safari are adventurous and love animals, so seeing the Big Five on land and then experiencing all the marine life in the ocean is unique combination that satisfies so many different interests and passions.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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