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 Christened the Dynasty Sports Film Festival (DSFF), the event will take place October 22 through October 25 in the heart of one of America’s most passionate sports regions — a place synonymous with Notre Dame football. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2026 These experts are passionate about their fields and eager to share their knowledge with guests. — Julie Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026 Educators caught in the middle Feelings are pretty passionate on both sides. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Astrologically, this lunation will peak in the bold and pioneering sign of Aries, adding a fiery and passionate vibe to this visually striking moment. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Neither Shaggy nor Kartel has made any new comments, but all eyes are on the two superstars as the debate rages on in their comment sections, with their fervent fan bases warring on their behalf.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The performance likely to have the most fervent admirers in Creed-Miles’ as Marianne, the reckless romantic who lets her heart lead her, with devastating results.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • An extreme hear watch has been issued for the Los Angeles metro area in anticipation of highs reaching 100 degrees on Saturday and remaining hot through next week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Here in Los Angeles, the last few months have been exceptionally hot.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Expect a pan-European menu of pimientos de padron peppers, warm leek salad and a surprising tuna Milanese with fun twists like a wagyu sando.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Forecasters are warning about dangerous conditions at Southern California beaches this week, with high surf, erosion and possible coastal flooding, as a pair of storms roil warm Pacific waters and send yet more southerly swells toward the shoreline.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • More than 80% of Chinese felt excited about AI applications, KPMG reported last year; only half that percentage of Americans felt the same.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Many studies have found that children get excited about getting their own books in the mail, addressed to them personally.
    — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The coalition led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialists announced the new measures earlier Tuesday, after four days of intense protests centered around an encampment in Puerta del Sol, Madrid's most iconic plaza.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Consequently, the resulting economic stimulus, inflationary pressure, and intense competition for capital could propel the 10 year US Treasury yield toward a high of 6% before next January.
    — , CNBC, 29 Sep. 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
  • When presented together and thought juxtapositionally, the works launch visitors onto an emotional pendulum that pivots from exhilaration to unease and distress.
    — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Big emotional moments are punctuated by striking shots of fiery, mountainside sunsets and comforting, homestead greenery.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 manga laid the groundwork for some of the genre's most enduring tropes (gender switching, horny old guys, tournaments), and this is the second anime adaptation, this time from Studio MAPPA.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Musgraves has been leaning fully into her unabashedly horny era.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!