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 This latest controversy won’t dent Thomas’s formidable reputation as a jurist, but it’s another mark against his perfervid critics who have no decency. Rich Lowry, National Review, 1 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 Down south near San Diego, gray-faced children toil in a slave-labor camp that Dickens could not have imagined in his most perfervid dreams. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 4 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfervid
Adjective
  • But housing advocates have been just as passionate about wanting to see more affordable housing in this area, particularly for seniors.
    Randy Mastro, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
  • Argentine clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate have drawn huge, passionate crowds that serenade their heroes before, during and after matches.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The South is blessed with a bounty of delicious mayonnaise brands, each with their own evangelistic bands of fervent followers.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
  • Now even some of the most fervent Taylor’s Version listeners are letting go of the lie.
    Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • In Alaska, warm and dry conditions coupled with frequent thunderstorms and lightning have resulted in more than 100 fires since Wednesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • Concrete and asphalt radiate heat absorbed during the day, making urban areas typically several degrees warmer than rural areas, the weather service said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • There were times when the twin drama got too intense.
    Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
  • Drilling defense: Every day at practice, the Broncos execute intense, one-on-one, full-court defensive slide drills.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, the scripts try to yank on our heartstrings with some maudlin moments that don’t quite land, including a grim twist for one main character that feels tacked on just to add some emotional stakes.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 23 June 2025
  • That said, this bit felt like a very important emotional conclusion, that real change had finally been achieved between these two characters.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump is also facing growing skepticism about deepening U.S. involvement in the Mideast crisis from some of his most ardent supporters.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
  • The prospect of potential U.S. military action in Iran is facing strong resistance from within the MAGA movement, with some of President Donald Trump's most ardent supporters urging him not join Israel in conducting air strikes.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The clock is ticking down on Trump's 90-day pause on those tariffs — but institutional investors are actually growing more enthusiastic about emerging markets, according to Bank of America's most recent Fund Manager Survey.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 19 June 2025
  • But that outlook changed dramatically under Chip Kelly, who was neither energetic nor enthusiastic about high school recruiting.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • In both, teacups make important appearances, as does faith, religious belief, and heartbreak.
    Diana Arterian June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • Built in 1689, this architectural landmark offers visitors a rich look at America’s early religious history.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perfervid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfervid. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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