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 LaKeith Stanfield is an easy standout as Parker’s best friend Grofield, a passionate actor who moonlights as a criminal to fund his dead-end theater company — some of the movie’s heartiest chuckles come from the joy Grofield takes in getting to ham things up as part of the heist. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025 Then to collaborate with passionate and fiercely dedicated writer-director Talia Lugacy, was a dream come true. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 And so, in the choice of our music director, there are some people who are brilliant musicians who may not be as passionate about their work in the community. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025 The Ryder Cup is full of passionate fans. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add onion, garlic, ginger, celery to hot oil and cook for 2 minutes; do not allow to brown.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • After the slow, quiet, hot month of August, when many Parisians leave the city and go on holiday, the arrival of fall fills the city with life again as temperatures cool and everyone gets back to their routine.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire scene unfolded on Neuheisel’s network, which invited viewers to witness the emotional roller coaster of a father rooting for his son.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • See the emotional exchange here.
    Griselda Flores, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Last year at this time, fans were excited that the 2025 Grammys looked to be a real horse race, with super-divas Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan all destined to compete in the top categories.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nash-Taylor congratulated her stepdaughter on a beautiful wedding in an enthusiastic tribute to the couple's special day.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • When enthusiastic punters entered the online maze to reach the front of the queue, what would the damage actually be?
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There is nothing quite so sluttish, apparently, as a lustful pistil.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He’s got a strong, if not particularly nuanced, voice that served him well over the lustful screams from the audience, which was heavy on young women and families.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Best Things to See and Do One of the highlights of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is its access to hiking trails, so make sure to bring decent walking or hiking shoes and a warm layer or two.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Used a mulch, leaves keep soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, protecting plant roots from extreme temperatures.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Just as the most vocal skeptics of the SCORE Act within college sports decided to pledge their support for the bill, another is being introduced by one of the most ardent critics of the potential legislation that has been making its way through the House of Representatives.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But the ardent annual cookie pushers have a new challenger.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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