Synonyms of passionate

passionate

adjective

ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 

1

as in intense

having or expressing great depth of feeling

a passionate defense of the controversial play

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• emotional
• enthusiastic
• warm
• ardent
• glowing
• fervent
• demonstrative
• charged
• impassioned
• fiery
• fervid
• passional
• vehement
• religious
• burning
• flaming
• blazing
• incandescent
• perfervid
• feverish
• torrid
• hot-blooded
• superheated
• red-hot
• warm-blooded
• sentimental
• zealous
• on fire
• sloppy
• gushy
• obsessed
• melodramatic
• sappy
• uninhibited
• mushy
• keen
• sugary
• mawkish
• saccharine
• histrionic
• infatuated
• enamored
• schmaltzy
• gung ho
• gushing
• maudlin
• unreserved
• frenzied
• unrestrained
• orgiastic
• overexcited
• overemotional
• overheated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dispassionate
• cold
• cool
• impassive
• dry
• objective
• detached
• impersonal
• unemotional
• emotionless
• reserved
• undemonstrative

2

as in hot

having a strong sexual desire

a passionate couple plunging into a new relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hot
• excited
• lustful
• aroused
• horny
• lascivious
• libidinous
• licentious
• salacious
• randy
• lewd
• lecherous
• corrupt
• immoral
• itchy
• wanton
• lubricious
• oversexed
• concupiscent
• hypersexual
• satyric
• goatish
• easy
• promiscuous
• degraded
• fast
• loose
• dissolute
• depraved
• libertine
• indecent
• degenerate
• demoralized
• debauched
• dissipated
• debased
• decadent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• virtuous
• moral
• modest
• chaste
• frigid
• decent
• immaculate
• celibate
• monastic
• monkish
• undersexed
• innocent
• virginal
• puritanical
• Victorian
• maidenly
• prudish
• priggish
• prim
• lily-white
• straitlaced

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

Recent Examples of passionate

Agnes was a passionate historian, who took great pride in preserving her family’s rich history. —Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

On a Gothams nominating committee, one passionate naysayer can sometimes prevent a big film from getting a nod. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Harrison, a passionate, if middling, fisherman who would later publish Legends of the Fall; Brautigan, the author of the celebrated 1967 novella Trout Fishing in America; and Guy de la Valdène, a French writer, sportsman, and Norman count. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025

Kaif Shaikh Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025