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

Founded in 2006, Dread Central has spent nearly two decades covering horror film, television, and culture, building relationships with filmmakers and fans and becoming a passionate and credible voice in horror. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026

It’s added a sometimes unbearable pressure to dozens of players and often sucked the life out of one of the NHL’s most passionate markets. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

According to Wendy, her father is incredibly passionate about his work, and hasn’t missed a day of work in those 25 years. —Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026

Schlossberg will be remembered as a passionate environmental journalist, curious author, and loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026