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 films also rolled into being at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and anti-Israel fervor over the Gaza war has put Jews on the defensive. Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Even before the swearing-in ceremony, supporters flooded social media with the same partisan trademark fervor of veteran politicians, suggesting that while the faces may be new, political habits remain the same. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 See, for instance, the song the women of the cast performed imitating the fervor for him. Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 The Arizona college is just one of a few schools responding to the creator economy fervor that Gen Z has embraced. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • Wang’s remarks underscore the gap between investor enthusiasm for humanoid robots and their current commercial capabilities.
    Anniek Bao,Jenni Reid,Jenny Lee, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Alice presents two ideas, one delivered without any enthusiasm, the other dropped as a joke.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The intensity of weather events in that span caused significant devastation across the state, and the August storms have only exacerbated the impact on communities and local governments.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Graphic autopsy photos shown in court Before McDonald brought emotion to the witness stand, the day began with some testimony that appeared excruciating for the Shakur family.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Heavy Metal earned raves for its unruly combination of intimate songwriting, feverish emotion and left-field ambition, and the Carnegie Hall performance put that material in a setting almost comically grand enough to match its scale.
    SPIN Staff, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Insider tip From check-in onward, the staff's impressive hospitality and warmth stand out.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As long as everything is well proportioned, those extra layers add depth, character and warmth.
    Hannah Coates, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Known for her dry sense of humor, passion for horses and being the hardest working royal, Princess Anne has also maintained strict boundaries about her privacy and kept her family away from the spotlight.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • There was a fluidity to their performance that treasured passion over technical precision.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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