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
• randy
• salacious
• lecherous
• lewd
• corrupt
• immoral
• itchy
• wanton
• lubricious
• oversexed
• concupiscent
• hypersexual
• lubricous
• satyric
• goatish
• easy
• promiscuous
• degraded
• fast
• dissolute
• loose
• depraved
• libertine
• indecent
• degenerate
• demoralized
• dissipated
• debauched
• debased
• decadent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

The story also draws a fine line between passionate activism and terrorism, a balance that posed major challenges but also great dramatic potential. —Ed Meza, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025

The researchers were interested in four music types classed as joyful, soft, stirring (passionate) and sad. —New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025

The bonus is being surrounded by passionate people who are equally driven. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Mom of 3 Morton was an Air Force veteran and a passionate horse rider, per KTLA. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025