fervor

noun

fer·​vor ˈfər-vər 

1

: intensity of feeling or expression

booing and cheering with almost equal fervor

—Alan Rich

revolutionary fervor

2

: intense heat

Synonyms

• ardency
• ardor
• emotion
• enthusiasm
• fervency
• fervidness
• fire
• heat
• intenseness
• intensity
• passion
• passionateness
• vehemence
• violence
• warmth
• white heat

Choose the Right Synonym for fervor

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of fervor in a Sentence

As Nina has grown more observant, Andras has become distanced from her. Her religious fervor doesn't interest him. Coming to tradition late, Nina has all the pedantry of an autodidact. Her strivings seem inauthentic to Andras, and not at all spiritual. —Allegra Goodman, Kaaterskill Falls, 1998

Certainly being the son of a pastor had contributed to Vincent's religiosity, but in time even his father was disturbed by the growing intensity of his son's fervor. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times Book Review, 12 Aug. 1990

In her renewed fervor, Norma fears that the past decade has turned women inward, away from one another, and away, too, from the notion that solidarity among women is ultimately a source of personal strength. —Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 6 July 1986

Reciting, her voice took on resonance and firmness, it rang with the old fervor, with ferocity even. —Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings, 1983

The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day.

The novel captures the revolutionary fervor of the period.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fervor for all things related to artificial intelligence that fueled much of their rally has started to calm down. —Royce Branning, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2024

After a Venezuelan migrant killed Laken Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University who previously attended the University of Georgia, in February, her death ignited anti-immigrant fervor on the right that placed the blame on Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris’s immigration record. —Maya King, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Chen’s quiet resilience, alongside Wang’s emotional fervor, perfectly encapsulates the tug of war between parental expectations and adolescent rebellion. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024

When: November 7 Where: Smithfield Square Vibe: Even though the New York–Dublin portal shut down in September, Ireland glimpsed America’s fun (and online fervor) on behalf of our national heartthrob and decided to mimic it in honor of their own big brave strong boy. —Michael Savio, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fervour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French fervur, from Latin fervor, from fervēre — see fervent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fervor

noun

fer·​vor ˈfər-vər 

: strength of feeling