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 An intoxicating, passionate, and bittersweet tale of the conflict between the longing for love and the yearning for freedom. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025 Aries are passionate people who live in the moment, similar to Teddy. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 The organizations that embrace this shift can become magnets for passionate, capable professionals who can deliver on the most ambitious goals. Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Sometimes, passionate and ambitious people struggle to maintain a sustainable work-life balance. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 8 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, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Both require intense concentration, in order to be any good, and diligent practice, and both make use of imagination—which in tennis takes the form of anticipation—and creativity.
    Thomas Swick September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Use hot sausage or chicken sausage for a different flavor profile.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The semiconductor firm, whose AI chips have been a hot item for those involved in the artificial intelligence world, has been considered the number one among tech analysts and investors.
    John Navin, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the Oscar-winning director's first-ever acting Emmy nomination, and his daughter Francesca shared his emotional reaction to being nominated.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Their emotional personal stories helped fuel the popularity of lotteries.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This year’s Fall Preview consists of all the entertainment — from TV to video games to theater — that Vulture writers and editors are excited to consume this season.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The inclusion created viral moments around social media with BLACKPINK’s global fanbase excited to see the song’s inclusion and the Shazam charts showing clear curiosity from viewers to find out more about the music.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • She’s best known for her enthusiastic and approachable ditties on key subjects, like potty training.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Educators and parents are increasingly enthusiastic that matching learning styles to students will reap academic rewards.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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
  • Forget the crowds of other Rocky Mountain destinations—Durango gives visitors a warm Colorado welcome, and then some.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Fall and winter are ideal for testing the soil in flower and vegetable gardens, as well as warm-season turfgrass lawns.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All hail this ardent, ferocious, baroque, bonkers bard.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shinola continues to be an ardent promoter of Made in America.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on passionate

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