passion

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as in crush
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person her passion passed when she got to know him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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6
as in feeling
passions plural general emotional condition people who are swayed by their passions and not by reason

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word passion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection, emotion, feeling, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is it sensible to use affection instead of passion?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of passion?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When would feeling be a good substitute for passion?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

When can sentiment be used instead of passion?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 passion Since the early days of cinema, filmmakers on both sides of the Atlantic have admired, inspired, and collaborated continuously, driven by the same passion. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025 Divided in three groups that changed every day, these women, of different ages, nationalities, roles, careers and musical genres, brought together their ideas, talent and passion to create a diverse array of songs, from ballad pop to merengue, dark-alternative pop and Mexican regional music. Natalia Cano, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025 Which parent, like William, hasn’t wanted to share their passion with their children? Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 The project also allowed Carson to merge her passions for music and acting while earning her first executive producer credit. Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passion
Noun
  • Fast causal chain Shake Shack has decided to spread the love beginning Thursday, May 1 with a rotating schedule of free burger creations to add to a purchase of $10 or more.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Outlander Outlander $20 $9 Amazon Diana Gabaldon’s historical fantasy novel (which was adapted into a six-season series now on Netflix) isn’t your average love triangle.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Plenty of Full House viewers probably had a crush on John Stamos, who played the hunky-but-sweet rocker Uncle Jesse on the popular TGIF sitcom.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The 36-year-old walked into the courthouse through a crush of reporters and photographers.
    Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19) The fire of your desire is blazing!
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Los Angeles out-hustled the Nuggets on multiple occasions, showing their desire.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Try to identify emotions beyond frustration, annoyance or other shades of anger.
    Caroline Fleck, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
  • There are moments of levity scattered throughout, a necessity when dealing with subject matter as harsh and cold as inevitable mortality, but they're surgically placed to extract the most emotion out of the player.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After so much enthusiasm and excitement following his winter move from Mercedes, reality is setting in for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Walz has attempted to generate enthusiasm and make use of Americans’ frustration with the Trump administration’s actions so far by hosting town hall discussions across the country.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Mummy Pig talks pregnancy, big feelings Kelce, also pregnant with her fourth daughter at the time, extended her congratulations and asked how Mummy Pig's other children, Peppa and George, were handling the news.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • This CeraVe balm in particular keeps it balanced, and there’s no tight feeling post-wash.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Eventually, Frank wants to be on the receiving end of his own unquenchable lust, and perhaps Rick wants something similar—to be on the receiving end of his own insatiable rage, and experience the bliss of death.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Read more: About That Surprise Cameo in the The White Lotus Season 3 Premiere Season 2 focused on infidelity Season 2 centered on lust, and the pairings were predictably toxic.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as the couple is called in Scotland, were full of flirty moments throughout their day, sneaking in looks of love and small displays of affection.
    Stephanie Petit, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Their competitive spirit leads to unexpected sparks and, eventually, deeper affection.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passion. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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