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a passionate interest
an enthusiastic interest
a devoted interest
an eager interest
a profound interest
a deep interest
a passionate debate
an intense debate
a heated debate
a vigorous debate
a furious debate
a violent debate
passionate love
heated love
sensual love
intense love

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 Yet, even such a passionate enthusiast of the America’s Cup like Ainslie can see how the world is changing, and changing fast, which brings us to his involvement in SailGP as owner of the British team in the international grand prix sailing competition now in its fifth season. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 It's seeks to educate the world about the creatures who live in the Galapagos and inspire those who are passionate to continue protecting their environment. Devonne Goode, Parents, 22 Apr. 2025 Whereas the previous volume is geared toward specialists, Troiano addresses the general reader in a passionate, highly readable, and compelling argument, based in part on personal experience running for Congress, that, interestingly, reaches much the same conclusion. Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Livvy Dunne gave a passionate testimony during a final hearing regarding the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement. Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • South Florida: While the region is expected to experience another hot and dry day besides a few stray late afternoon showers, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. April 29.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Set Up Shaded Locations On hot summer days, a shaded spot to cool off and lounge in is imperative.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Capitol Hill, even some of Trump's most fervent supporters have rebuked Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for their removal of those positions.
    Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • This is one of the situations where even the most fervent ‘anti-muted celebration’ crowd could forgive a player for toning things down a bit.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Asked about plans for a parade, Army spokesman Steve Warren said Thursday that no final decisions have been made. Col. Dave Butler, another Army spokesman, added that the Army is excited about the plans for its anniversary.
    Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
  • And for toddlers who aren’t always amendable to sitting down at the dinner table, anything that might help them get excited about mealtimes is going to be a win for parents, too.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • One of my obsessions is the hip-hop love song, and how the exaggerated, theatrical, and lustful nature of the genre makes for some of the realest and funniest depictions of catching feelings.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 2 May 2025
  • Sensuous food and French food in particular, retained its association with lustful appetites throughout the 1960s.
    Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the white oak shelves and tin ceiling create a beautiful space, my staff and I have worked hard to cultivate a warm and inviting environment for everyone.
    American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In warmer states, cicadas usually come out in late April or May.
    Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether singing a cappella or accompanied by her guitar to hundreds or thousands of people − at a small venue or an awards show − Lafourcade's performances feel visceral, intense and intimate all at once.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Making sure that future generations will be able to hear Elton John sing about ‘hunting the horny back toad’?
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The book extends a rickety rope bridge between psychological shame—the I-must-bury-my-face kind that follows when one is caught being stupid, horny, or poor—and patriotic shame, which fells those in power with its righteous anger.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His father, who has also served significant time in prison, explained the emotional weight of watching his son endure a similar experience.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Controversy over wolf management can become more emotional and political than scientific.
    Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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