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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 In addition to fans who traveled to the United States to see their favorite teams, the passionate support of each club’s U.S. diaspora community was on full display. Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 The Princess waved to the crowd as people continued cheering and gave a small gulp, soaking in the passionate reaction. Janine Henni, People.com, 12 July 2025 The greatest scientists of any age have always been those most passionate about their field — most drawn to the transcendence reflected in their studies — those whose lives were as great as their work. Linda McMahon, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025 Women’s sports are stealing the show like never before – record breaking viewership, game changing coverage and a wave of passionate fans fueling the momentum. Essence, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • The finish is long and intense, with lingering orchard fruits and spices.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • People should avoid long and intense outdoor activity and stay inside when possible, NWS advises.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Learning New Skills That Are Hot Enriching yourself with new skills is always worth it, but focusing on hot skills is even more rewarding.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Officers arrived at Cumberland Mall after a woman called 911 at around 1 p.m. to report a little boy and a little girl trapped inside a hot car in the parking lot outside Dick's Sporting Goods.
    Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Other images show O'Neal looking visibly emotional during the ceremony and sharing a sweet hug with the bride.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Faces and words may fade, but their emotional residue frequently lingers.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Not everyone will be excited to see the president back in town, however.
    Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
  • The actress, 32, spoke with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film Smurfs and shared that her kids — son Kingston, 4, and daughter Jackson, 2 — are going to be very excited to see their mom on the big screen.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The fans who showed up at the Intuit Dome were enthusiastic enough, especially when the in-game host fired them up, but the matchups between geographic neighbors Palm Beach and Miami, and L.A. and San Diego, don’t exactly scream rivalry.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
  • Peggy meets a handsome doctor from Newport whose family is less than enthusiastic about her career.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than being lustful or playful, there’s a nervousness and a discomfort about her.
    Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The lustful reggaeton-bachata song about a twisted love affair would shock fans upon its release in the spring of 2005.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Lots of natural light and warm, muted color palettes make your spaces feel comforting and inviting, just like our favorite housekeeper.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
  • Although, the ear pads can get sweaty in warm weather and aren’t user-replaceable.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the president's most ardent supporters were in uproar.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • The audience is on board before the show even starts This show attracts ardent followers.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on passionate

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