Synonym Chooser

How is the word passionate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of passionate are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When could ardent be used to replace passionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to passionate, ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is it sensible to use fervent instead of passionate?

Although the words fervent and passionate have much in common, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is fervid a more appropriate choice than passionate?

While the synonyms fervid and passionate are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of passionate?

The words impassioned and passionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When might perfervid be a better fit than passionate?

The words perfervid and passionate can be used in similar contexts, but perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

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 passionate There was the school mom who knows how passionate my daughter is about Frozen and suggested hiring the same Elsa actor who had been a hit at her own daughter’s party. Miranda Rake, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025 Routh held passionate political views. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 The shape of the film, discernable even in a rough cut, is as gracefully natural as its subject is urgent and its discussions are passionate. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025 The pair are passionate about travel and adrenaline-filled sports. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Watching the Ryder Cup at an open-air golf course presents a whole different challenge, and attendees were warned to be ready for an intense security operation on Friday.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • In aviation, iridium-tipped electrodes are used in high-performance spark plugs, providing longer service life and reliable ignition under intense conditions.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And if blue isn’t your style, the Resurgence belt bag is also on sale in hot pink for 14 percent off.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Or, better yet, at the uber-hot, gods-only party taking place at the Acropolis.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For the Rakhimovs, the moment was emotional.
    Dada Jovanovic, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Group dynamics may trigger deep emotional wounds when the Sagittarius moon activates Venus.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The opening of the location near the Detroit Metro Airport drew a large and excited crowd.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Nvidia has made no net progress since July 30 alongside plenty of excited chatter around the strength and duration of the AI buildout — perhaps having entered another of its long digestion trading ranges (the last one went on for several months)?
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Jones’ daughter, Clara, sent her a heartfelt message, Bush Hager's girls, Mila and Poppy, looked less enthusiastic, making their mom burst out laughing.
    Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Chock truly believes love can be found at any age and is enthusiastic about finding that spark again.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is nothing quite so sluttish, apparently, as a lustful pistil.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He’s got a strong, if not particularly nuanced, voice that served him well over the lustful screams from the audience, which was heavy on young women and families.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • On a late-September Friday night as warm as July, the Boston Red Sox kicked down the doors of October baseball for the first time since 2021, with a walk-off that will not be forgotten any time soon.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Set against a beige background, the blanket’s pattern features a warm yellow, sweet violet, and soft green.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sklenar recently spoke to THR about his ardent desire to play the next Dark Knight.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Inextricably linked, and weaved into its ardent soul.
    Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on passionate

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