Definition of passionatenext

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 Kerr joined the cast of Dawson’s Creek in season 2 as Jack McPhee, who made history as a gay character who had the first passionate male kiss on a primetime TV show. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2026 These are passionate people who are dedicated to seeking solutions to real-world problems. — Dena K. Seidel, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2026 Distributors are also looking to younger moviegoers, particularly through Letterboxd, which has built a passionate community of Gen Z cinephiles. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026 Their love story is passionate, funny, intellectual, and deeply alive, until a single, tragic wave on a beach in Oaxaca changes everything. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Friday’s loss illustrated the power of fervent, constant rebounding to sway the momentum of a game.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • At the time, the sequel to the 2005 film wasn’t confirmed, and the ensemble made the anticipation that much more fervent.
    — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Misty mornings walking the ancient tracks and climbing tors, afternoons yomping across moorland in conditions that demand retreating somewhere cozy for a hot bath and a roaring fire.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Producer-engineer Tom Dowd, who was hot from producing Rod Stewart, Clapton and the Allman Brothers at Criteria, ran the soundboard.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Gigi Hadid broke out the trend in corduroy pants form, which is perfectly seasonal with soft and warm fabric paired with a relaxed design.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The fleeting time in Georgia between the sweltering summer heat and damp winter chill has finally arrived, featuring cool mornings, warm evenings and trees dappled with orange leaves.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Hargitay was excited to dive into such a strong storyline about the duo.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Planning the River screening, the first time the work would play in New York in nearly a dozen years, Barney was excited that some of Bepler’s score would be performed by live musicians.
    — Zachary Woolfe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • But places like South Florida have seen more intense storms more frequently than before.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In May 2023, the G-7 began intense discussions on AI governance that would eventually produce a code of conduct for developers.
    — DANIEL REMLER, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Robert also identifies the lustful subtext of Bret’s fixation on Robert and Susan together.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In March, the Miami Herald also joined Welty and the Croc Docs on a trip deep in the interior of the northern Everglades to track down lustful male pythons.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • During the emotional memorial service at an Englewood church, Graham's parents, Tom and Heidi, stood quietly beside the chaplain as their words were read to the hundreds of mourners.
    — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Difficult life events already consume emotional and cognitive bandwidth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Ahead of the movie’s release, the marketing team behind Wicker (which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January) has already worked audiences into a froth by presenting it as a wholly horny and weird fairy-tale fantasia.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Linda Cardellini slays an origin story (streaming on Peacock) about how the drowning of her son turned a camp cafeteria worker mad enough to kill a bunch of horny teenagers with a machete.
    — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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