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 This was also an era when McCain-style conservatism – marked by a softer rhetorical style and less ideological fervor – still held considerable influence among Republicans. Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 14 July 2026 The fervor for their music launched Mandagi, bassist Jonathon Aherne, drummer Toby Dundas, and guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto onto the charts and stages across the world. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 Undersea experiments continued, but never again with the same scale and fervor as the 1960s, and with little support from NASA. Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 After months of speculation and tabloid fervor, pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will hold a wedding celebration at New York City’s Madison Square Garden this week, two sources told CNN on Tuesday. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • The unexpected enthusiasm for Moonshot’s Kimi K3 model stems from its ability to match – and in some cases outperform – its most advanced US competitors, such as the latest iterations of OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude, for free.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • The results on Wednesday did nothing to squash the enthusiasm of bullish analysts and investors.
    MacKenzie Sigalos,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Thursday afternoon’s thunderstorms could pack rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour — an intensity that can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and flood urban areas.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness especially in southeastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to health impacts and wildfires.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • As someone who fed on emotion and belonging throughout his career, Keegan had always felt the pull of Newcastle United, the club of his father.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The testimony elicited visible emotion from Celeste’s family — her mother wiped away tears — who remained in court throughout the testimony.
    Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • The Szechuan peppercorn brings a gentle numbing sensation, while the five-spice adds warmth and complexity.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Lacy’s voice is nasal and occasionally a little wonky, which gives it unusual warmth.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • For those truly struggling with the emotional toll of the game, consider taking a page from Argentina, a country whose love of soccer is perhaps only rivaled by its passion for psychoanalysis.
    Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Others demonstrate a star’s deep passion for agriculture or oenology.
    Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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