as in vigor
a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something
She attacked her homework with renewed zeal after getting her first A. a politician known for his zeal for reform
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
That zeal, her daughter explains, also defined the way Ladd led her life away from the cameras — and fueled her devotion to Beyond the Scars.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Teammates who spoke to the Register said Roberts’ zeal did not annoy them.
—Tyler Jett, Des Moines Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump knows it, but still took a stab from his privileged bully pulpit in Switzerland with the zeal of neocolonialism.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
The appointees competed to demonstrate loyalist zeal.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zeal
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Teammates who spoke to the Register said Roberts’ zeal did not annoy them.
—Tyler Jett, Des Moines Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump knows it, but still took a stab from his privileged bully pulpit in Switzerland with the zeal of neocolonialism.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
The appointees competed to demonstrate loyalist zeal.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal
Noun
-
Within Portugal, fado has had its ups and downs in popularity, but the genre is finally seeing a new era embrace its sound with vigor.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
-
From residency dropout to bestseller In the last few years, Attia has become a household name for those curious about longevity medicine, the science behind extending one’s lifespan while protecting health and vigor.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lilies symbolize promise, passion, life and fidelity.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The 17-year-old Buzbee, a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was known for her big smile, generosity, ease with people and passion for journalism.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In practice that means less competition and more enthusiasm.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
2 Feb. 2026
-
That’s a solid start for the $40 million production, which is expected to stick around beyond its debut, thanks to great word-of-mouth and enthusiasm for original horror.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The salesperson in the custom knife shop with a $1,200 pizza cutter on offer — albeit the most beautiful pizza cutter I, personally, have ever seen — said that more customers had started to trickle in now that the fervor on Main Street had died down and the roads were clearer.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Mickela Mallozzi dances with the same fervor that Anthony Bourdain brought to eating, that Sam Brown brings to vacationing, and that Rick Steves brings to doing Europe on a shoestring.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zeal. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
