perfervid

adjective

(ˌ)pər-ˈfər-vəd How to pronounce perfervid (audio)
Definition of perfervidnext
as in passionate
having or expressing great depth of feeling the perfervid prose of a romance novel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word perfervid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of perfervid are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and passionate. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

When might ardent be a better fit than perfervid?

The words ardent and perfervid can be used in similar contexts, but ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

In what contexts can fervent take the place of perfervid?

While in some cases nearly identical to perfervid, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When can fervid be used instead of perfervid?

The words fervid and perfervid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When would impassioned be a good substitute for perfervid?

The synonyms impassioned and perfervid are sometimes interchangeable, but impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When is it sensible to use passionate instead of perfervid?

While the synonyms passionate and perfervid are close in meaning, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

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 perfervid The scant paintings on view reverse an emphasis on figurative imagery in the 2019 Biennial, tilting toward a lately prevalent revival of abstraction in perfervid styles that have yet to demonstrate staying power. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 So why, with all this perfervid material at her disposal, did the director, Haifaa Al-Mansour, and her co-screenwriter, Emma Jensen, opt for such cautiousness? — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfervid
  1. passionate
  2. passional
  3. fervent
  4. warm
  5. intense
  6. emotional
  7. ardent
  8. enthusiastic
Adjective
  • The colors are dour and muted, and the yearnings of the two elder Dashwood sisters—the self-abnegating Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the passionate Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles, a gimlet-eyed standout)—often play out in drearily candlelit rooms.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Bulgari staff is notably passionate about this garden and volunteers there on a regular basis.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of passional
Adjective
  • Friday’s loss illustrated the power of fervent, constant rebounding to sway the momentum of a game.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • At the time, the sequel to the 2005 film wasn’t confirmed, and the ensemble made the anticipation that much more fervent.
    — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of fervent
Adjective
  • Gigi Hadid broke out the trend in corduroy pants form, which is perfectly seasonal with soft and warm fabric paired with a relaxed design.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The fleeting time in Georgia between the sweltering summer heat and damp winter chill has finally arrived, featuring cool mornings, warm evenings and trees dappled with orange leaves.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • The normally quiet state race became the focus on intense scrutiny because of a pattern of incendiary remarks by French, the former Tarrant County GOP chair.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lara faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his eight years in office from Californians frustrated by rising prices, fewer options and how their claims were handled.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Simultaneously, Fumiko and Emi cross paths at the library, where the revelation that the family at least tangentially responsible for her son’s death now have an adorable little sprog of their own, threatens to send Emi into an emotional tailspin.
    — James Marsh, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The film also conjures the same terrifying fears as the book with its haunting musical score, set design, camera angles, and the emotional performances of Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of emotional
Adjective
  • Six of the paper’s journalists have been murdered during its three and a half decades of operation, including Anna Politkovskaya, an ardent critic of President Vladimir Putin who reported extensively on human rights abuses in Chechnya.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever the reason, Anderson left behind a catalog full of such gems, tucked away on B-sides waiting to be discovered by his most ardent fans.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of ardent
Adjective
  • During the day, activities center around lectures, delivered by enthusiastic expedition team members.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Six months later, management wonders why someone who was once among its most enthusiastic employees seems disengaged.
    — Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic

Browse Nearby Words

perfects
perfervid
perfidies
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Cite this Entry

“Perfervid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfervid. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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