Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fervor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fervor are ardor, enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could ardor be used to replace fervor?

In some situations, the words ardor and fervor are roughly equivalent. However, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might enthusiasm be a better fit than fervor?

The words enthusiasm and fervor 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 is it sensible to use passion instead of fervor?

The meanings of passion and fervor largely overlap; however, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

When would zeal be a good substitute for fervor?

While in some cases nearly identical to fervor, zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 fervor That fervor carried over to the defensive side of the ball as UCF held TCU to 36% shooting, including 1 for 20 on 3-pointers. Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025 Though disliked by some, Trump's personal brand of politics has inspired a loyalty and fervor in his supporters rarely seen in American politics. Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 Positive Reactions Are in Order Blue Bell first announced the return of Tin Roof on Instagram, prompting hundreds of fans to flood the comment sections with fervor. Sydney Wingfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2025 Taylor Kitsch just added to the fervor of excitement surrounding the reboot of Friday Night Lights, which was first announced to be in development at NBC Universal late last year. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • The unexpected uptick in inflation could dampen some of the business enthusiasm that arose after Trump's election on promises to reduce regulation and cut taxes.
    CHRISTOPHER RUGABER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The enthusiasm was palpable among the rest of the pitchers in camp on Wednesday.
    Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The green, figgy freshness cuts through the intensity of Extradose’s vanilla and rum, creating a fascinating contrast that feels both sophisticated and playful.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The gel-like texture goes on sheer but allows for buildable intensity—with color pairings ranging from a soft pink and caramel to a rich berry and chocolate combo.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Survivors of Asheville’s Hurricane Helen continue to deal with shock, trauma and a roller coaster of emotions.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Leaders must recognize and validate the emotions of their staff and communities, acknowledging the human cost of a crisis rather than focusing solely on operational recovery.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Highlight moments of perseverance to inspire resilience in your team. Use humor and warmth to make your stories more engaging.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Thermal underwear or layers of clothing should be considered for warmth.
    Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Terry, who has worked in the solar industry for 18 years, traces his passion back to a business trip to China in 2010.
    Alexandra Harbert, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Another great example could be turning a passion for cooking or playing a sport into an online course, teaching others how to master recipes and techniques.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fervor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!