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 Flash-forward to the currently airing fourth season that just released its fifth episode, and viewers now understand more about Beharie’s passionate Roe reaction. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025 The raunchy lyrics are the plea of a passionate lover, told soulfully with nods to other great R&B writers of past eras. Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 Shanahan did state that the incident was simply two passionate individuals being caught up in the moment, but Jennings was only targeted three times throughout the entire game. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 While Alma is married to Frederik Imhoff (Michael Stuhlbarg), the pair eventually break into a round of passionate kissing near the end of the film. Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Thus, current fears reinforce a pre-existing localism, and infuse it with new and intense emotions.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • After at least half a decade of acute concern about the way that platforms such as Instagram may affect young people, as well as intense debate about how best to keep kids safe online, Meta has arrived at a label that was invented in the 1980s because parents were upset by movies such as Gremlins.
    Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In January 2018, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keurig Green Mountain announced a merger, providing investors unique exposure to the fastest growing hot and cold beverage markets and their respective retail channels.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
  • It’s served hot, and the proper way to eat it is to squeeze some lemon juice, sprinkle it with spices like sumac and Aleppo pepper, and pile on a handful of parsley.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His family said their final goodbyes to him during an emotional funeral procession on July 30, which took place in Birmingham.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In what ways will his grief manifest this season, and what role will his struggle with sobriety play in his emotional journey?
    Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Both backs seemed excited about employing more pony looks.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • He could also be seen nodding his approval after the dance — and earning a thunderous round of excited shouts from the audience.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to him bum-rush a workers’ union meeting and begin describing, with over-enthusiastic earnestness, how dogs get a raw deal.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Now, a couple of posts can result in an influx of enthusiastic participants for rookie organizers who lack the structure to host them.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • King Princess talks the lustful, haunted anthems of 'Girl Violence' King Princess has had a remarkable 2025 thus far.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Sep. 2025
  • There is nothing quite so sluttish, apparently, as a lustful pistil.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • My face was cold by the end, but my body was totally warm.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Serve them warm, straight from the oven, with a drizzle of maple glaze and a hot cup of coffee.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The event was founded in 2016 by Queen Rania of Jordan, who has been an ardent supporter in bringing the nation’s artisan and craft capabilities to the international fore.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • And his explicit lyrics – most of which are in Spanish – would make even the most ardent free speech warrior cringe.
    Ediberto Román, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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