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a passionate interest
an enthusiastic interest
a devoted interest
an eager interest
a profound interest
a deep interest
a passionate debate
an intense debate
a heated debate
a vigorous debate
a furious debate
a violent debate
passionate love
heated love
sensual love
intense love

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of passionate are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When could ardent be used to replace passionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to passionate, ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is it sensible to use fervent instead of passionate?

Although the words fervent and passionate have much in common, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is fervid a more appropriate choice than passionate?

While the synonyms fervid and passionate are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of passionate?

The words impassioned and passionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When might perfervid be a better fit than passionate?

The words perfervid and passionate can be used in similar contexts, but perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

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 passionate Livvy Dunne gave a passionate testimony during a final hearing regarding the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement. Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 In other states, such as California, Arizona and Colorado, voters concerned or passionate about a policy issue have a path to get that issue before voters on the ballot. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The couple alternates between passionate embraces and domestic tension (an ambulance shows up in their driveway, at one point, its whirring red and blue light hinting something sinister has just taken place). Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025 Sanchez, who described herself as a passionate volleyball player in her youth, talked of girls’ losing coveted spots on teams, and in some cases suffering injuries during games because of trans athletes unfairly competing against them. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Some bees can remember experiencing high heat and weigh this against the reward of sugar when it’s offered in hot containers.
    Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The script, from first-time feature writer Nora Garrett, was a hot property among readers in recent years.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Thurmond, the fervent segregationist senator from South Carolina, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes — 46 minutes less than Booker.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Even when projects earned mixed reviews from film critics or flew under the radar, Kilmer’s performances still drew commendations and cultivated a fervent fan following.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the Devils are a bit of a mess thanks to injuries, which makes this matchup hard to get too excited over.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • So, when the opportunity to visit Tanzania arose, I was intrigued and excited to embark on this journey.
    Ronny Maye, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of worrying that rich foods would lead to lustful appetites, Americans began worrying that rich foods would kill their libidos.
    Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The story about Dieter sounds mostly made up, likely by a lustful Kier who invented a lustful brother to cover up his secret shame.
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Deals on seating Deals on outdoor rugs Deals on pools and hot tubs Deals on fire pits Deals on storage Deals lights and umbrella Deals on seating Seating areas can create a focal point in your garden decor and are a great place to relax in warmer weather.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, evidence increasingly suggests that early in its life, Mars was a warm and wet planet much like our own.
    Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Her message prompted an intense, impassioned reaction.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For a movie that will become a violent bloodbath, Sinners is unabashedly horny.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Horniest: Fear may have driven all the horny out of this group.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Just before the game, the franchise honored him with a video tribute, and Dončić became emotional.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Season 7’s sleek, six-episode lineup is drawing some of its best reviews to date, with critics praising the emotional complexity, tonal range, and sharp storytelling.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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