as in fervent
feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc.; filled with zeal
zealous fans She was one of the president's most zealous supporters. The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.
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 zealous
The commission is led by a zealous proponent of prediction markets, Michael Selig, who has tangled with several states in court to preserve his agency's regulatory jurisdiction over the growing industry.
—
Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 28 May 2026
Hollywood will need some zealous promotion to sell its franchise-heavy summer movie season but also some hard work from taciturn filmmakers.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 May 2026
Its scene has been fueled by the bounty of Wisconsin’s agriculture, its world-class cheesemakers, and chefs whose zealous creativity continues to raise the bar.
—Lori Fredrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Not only are horror-tape collectors some of the most zealous, but those are often the rarest and most valuable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zealous
Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 28 May 2026
Hollywood will need some zealous promotion to sell its franchise-heavy summer movie season but also some hard work from taciturn filmmakers.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 22 May 2026
Its scene has been fueled by the bounty of Wisconsin’s agriculture, its world-class cheesemakers, and chefs whose zealous creativity continues to raise the bar.
—Lori Fredrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Not only are horror-tape collectors some of the most zealous, but those are often the rarest and most valuable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealous
Adjective
-
As reigning champions Argentina returned to the World Cup stage Tuesday, there was no drive too long and no ticket too pricey for its most fervent fans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Her fans are among the most fervent and devoted consumers on the planet.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The hardware required to contribute observations isn’t terribly expensive, and the process comes with detailed instructions, as well as enthusiastic support for rookies just getting started.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
-
The performance drew enthusiastic applause from fans who recognized familiar songs and cultural traditions.—
J.M. Banks
June 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The effect of Gaza on these particular swing voters lingers painfully in the thoughts of Harris’s most ardent supporters.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
His Bernstein had visceral, vernacular punch; his Verdi was ardent and spry; his Britten had the right textural grit; his Mozart unfurled with complicated grace.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
True to its name, the pub in Overland Park housed more than 100 passionate and prideful Dutch supporters who came together to watch the Netherlands face Japan in what some are calling the game of the World Cup so far.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
But the real tragedy is that the world lost a true artist, a passionate and gifted story teller, and a radiant light that shined upon so many of us.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealous. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
