zeal

Definition of zealnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun zeal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of zeal are ardor, enthusiasm, fervor, and passion. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

When is ardor a more appropriate choice than zeal?

While in some cases nearly identical to zeal, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

Where would enthusiasm be a reasonable alternative to zeal?

The words enthusiasm and zeal can be used in similar contexts, but enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When could fervor be used to replace zeal?

While the synonyms fervor and zeal are close in meaning, fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When can passion be used instead of zeal?

The synonyms passion and zeal are sometimes interchangeable, but passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

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 zeal But none stressed me with such zeal as Byrne’s Linda, a woman so consistently pushed to the edge with no safety net to speak of. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025 This understates the conflict’s stakes and in particular the risk of rewarding and thereby normalizing Russia’s zeal to control Ukraine. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025 Zuckerberg has since entered that category with similar zeal. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025 In the workplace, on the playing surface or in the stands, zeal without guardrails becomes a threat to safety, reputation and the sport product itself. Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal
Noun
  • But the proliferation of his branding on government entities shows a brazen vigor at self-promotion.
    Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Singing is a form of communication used to signal a bird's health, vigor, and fitness to potential partners and to warn off rivals, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Over the past seven years, Blake Lively brought her dream hair care line to life by redefining the beauty industry with a blend of passion, precision and purpose.
    Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • His wife, Sylvia, has boyfriends of her own but can’t abide Hank’s obvious passion for Davis.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Pre-festival enthusiasm sagged compared to the inaugural year.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
  • More energy and enthusiasm There were too many times in the first few months of the season when this team looked lethargic.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Carolina Panthers lost the game but won a war Saturday night, rekindling the fervor that their fan base felt 10 years ago.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The cupcake fervor hit its peak when Crumbs, which had started as a single bakery on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 2003, went public in a reverse merger worth $66 million in 2011.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Zeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zeal. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on zeal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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