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 What became obvious to our Inside SoCal crew is how passionate the teachers and administration are in helping their students meet their goals and realize their dreams. Erica Olsen, CBS News, 14 June 2026 Amy and Bill Koman are passionate cancer research advocates and co-founders of Curebound, a cancer research accelerator forging powerful collaborations to advance innovative science into lifesaving cures. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026 Amazon reviewers are equally passionate about the Allswifit walking shoes. Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026 Not being passionate about their team. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • As reigning champions Argentina returned to the World Cup stage Tuesday, there was no drive too long and no ticket too pricey for its most fervent fans.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
  • Her fans are among the most fervent and devoted consumers on the planet.
    Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • An Irvine dog trainer who operated Happy K9 Academy was convicted of killing 11 dogs by keeping them in small crates in a hot van and lying to the pets’ owners about the deaths, authorities said.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Oklahoma’s bats remained scorching hot, racking up 12 hits - including five more home runs - and got a quality start from freshman Nick Wesloski.
    Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Two rescues within the past week in San Miguel County are a reminder about preparation in Colorado's mountains as the arrival of warm weather means more people in the mountains.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • The service The service is maybe a touch more reverential than other Four Seasons outposts, but interactions are warm and friendly.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • While much has been made of the eight-floor Obama Presidential Museum, many in the communities around the soon-to-open presidential library complex are excited to enjoy the outdoor spaces with friends and family.
    Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • Libraries open opportunities to get excited and relax, discover and reminisce, be challenged and comforted.
    Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 June 2026
  • Within the hour, all firefighters were called off the roof and out of the building because of the danger posed by the intense flames and the ammonia leak.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • But in this one, the women are transgressive and lustful and violent and ridiculous and funny.
    Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
  • From dazzling smiles and lustful dates to shocking eliminations and lifelong friendships, Love Island USA is back.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Astronomer and UFOlogist Jacques Vallée appears to shed additional light on Juan’s story, and dramatic effects sequences dramatize the emotional impact of his close encounter.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
  • Diesel — who starred in the debut film with Paul, before the actor died at 40 in a fatal 2013 car crash — thanked Meadow for attending in an emotional speech before the screening.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Her music owned up to being horny, garish, and superficial, but could scan as thin or cheap when held up to other kinds of ethical or political scrutiny.
    Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
  • By its end, there is even less coherence between the characters and plotlines, diverging into a few pages from the perspective of a desperately horny lesbian crab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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