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 Raised in the school of hard knocks, Anderson was a passionate advocate for disadvantaged young Australians, his work recognized with Anderson made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for services to the community. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026 Whether students are passionate about hair or skincare, COLLECTIV Academy offers education designed to prepare them for the work ahead. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026 Despite the dangerous and often violent nature of its subject matter, his Twitch livestream, titled Birds in the Air, is a joyous place filled with passionate fans and long-running jokes. — Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 Regardless of Biller’s artistic intention, the question remains if her passionate brand of moviegoers will translate to the box office. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • 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
  • But a reporter from Denmark’s public broadcaster observed politicians going in and out of the government building, reflecting fervent interest in the American president’s designs on their land.
    — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Tomica tells us Tiny Traitor Katie is reaching the Love Island crew (hot, young people).
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The technology is initially aimed at simple-cycle gas turbines, which generate electricity directly from hot combustion gases but release substantial amounts of remaining heat through their exhaust.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Outside the window warm air moved the leaves on the branches while around her, phones rang, and men and women answered Helios Accounting, Entertainment’s Finest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In the gleaming lobby, the brand’s signature scent—a warm and woody fragrance reminiscent of two of my favorites, Comme des Garçons’ Wonderwood and Odin New York’s 07 Tanoke—greeted me.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Wall Street isn’t particularly excited about CagriSema, whose previous late-stage clinical trials disappointed investors because the drug showed weight loss efficacy below expectations.
    — Annika Kim Constantino,Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Winters said his mission is still driven in large part by getting kids excited about playing a violin or cello.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • High-intensity interval training and long-duration intense cardio spike cortisol significantly, and doing them too often without recovery can keep the hormone elevated, but rest and frequency matter more than avoidance.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This extra oceanic warmth is also likely to extend hurricane further into fall, with more intense hurricanes more likely than not through at least early November.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 22 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
  • In years past, department statistics showed at least a third of all police shootings involved someone with obvious signs of emotional distress.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Alpha School software even tracked students’ facial expressions and continuously monitored their emotional states, which unsurprisingly had students distressed.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Musgraves has been leaning fully into her unabashedly horny era.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • White's bad-boy heartthrob status has given way to many horny memes, as well as curiosity about his love life.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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