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 Radakovich was not particularly passionate about fund-raising, and UM was looking for an AD who was skilled at that. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 Kaminsky remembered Allen coming off as genuine and passionate, comparing his personality to that of former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026 But natives like Grigsby say the city's passionate fanbases and 16 major professional league championships make the selection a natural fit. Ayana Archie, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026 Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • By the final showdown, the production has made use of every bit of stage space, with sensational flying sequences (choreographed by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant) that allow the vampires to float, hover, and—in one especially intense moment—dive from that bridge.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Provide afternoon shade for asters grown in hot climates.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
  • As a result, the wide, shallow bay, with its lacework of shoals and basins, grows hot and hypersaline, killing seagrass, fueling algae blooms and hurting the economy of the Keys.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As the Moon enters Sagittarius, your 4th House of Home becomes more active, bringing attention to your environment and emotional base.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
  • That can show up as emotional suppression, difficulty naming or expressing needs, chronic stress or a sense that vulnerability is unsafe.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is a fan base reveling in the first playoff experience in 15 years, and the Sabres have given them plenty to get excited about.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Was so excited to make these and they were ruined by your poor recipe like many others!
    Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After the Met announced the Bezoses’ participation, many social media users — who are the Met Gala’s most enthusiastic promoters, tuning into Vogue’s livestream and analyzing looks for days afterwards — called for a boycott.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
  • Most Californians are no doubt still rightly enthusiastic about protecting our coastline treasures.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • And, no doubt, women in the original 1920s audience presumably had comparable lustful desires as the pair on stage; this was hardly the only Coward comedy of its era to be used for foreplay.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
  • And, no doubt, women in the original 1920s audience presumably had comparable lustful desires as the pair on stage.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • When deep sleep is fragmented by alcohol, a warm bedroom or an inconsistent bedtime, the entire circuit falters and growth hormone output drops significantly.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Provide afternoon shade in warm climates.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Kennedy, who has no background in science, medicine, or public health, is well known as an ardent anti-vaccine activist and peddler of conspiracy theories.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • This is a lovely film that will appeal to Bernstein’s most ardent fans, while warmly inviting neophytes into his world.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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