impassioned 1 of 2

impassioned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of impassion

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of impassioned are ardent, fervent, fervid, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When might ardent be a better fit than impassioned?

The synonyms ardent and impassioned are sometimes interchangeable, but ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When can fervent be used instead of impassioned?

While the synonyms fervent and impassioned are close in meaning, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is fervid a more appropriate choice than impassioned?

In some situations, the words fervid and impassioned are roughly equivalent. However, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

In what contexts can passionate take the place of impassioned?

The meanings of passionate and impassioned largely overlap; however, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

Where would perfervid be a reasonable alternative to impassioned?

Although the words perfervid and impassioned have much in common, 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 impassioned
Adjective
In an impassioned speech following the massacre, Red Cloud, the leader of the Oglala Lakota whom the Miniconjou wished to ask for protection, offered a fuller explanation. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2024 Then, inside the meeting, parents and opposing activists gave impassioned speeches about their thoughts on the situation, with multiple speakers yelling in hysterical tones. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 And then came Olivia Rodrigo, who showed love for her hometown of Los Angeles with an impassioned mini-set of songs from her growing catalog. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 Appearing with a live band and several back-up singers, the musician gave the soulful tune an impassioned performance, complete with a dapper white suit. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impassioned 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassioned
Adjective
  • The tight retails for $118, and comes in such colors as black, desert red, passionate pink, lavender lux, magenta smoke, washed denim, true navy, espresso, Army green and solar gray.
    Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 11 Feb. 2025
  • An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Alexandra Owens is passionate about writing stories that highlight the power and potential of responsible ecotourism.
    Alexandra Owens, AFAR Media, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The incident was caught on video, making waves online and on local TV news, and provoked an outcry from fellow residents.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025
  • His 1954 run for governor in Connecticut provoked questions about whether the state was ready for a Jewish governor.
    Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • His fervent dedication to mastering the physical demands of Alonzo, with some help from a stand-in without arms, Paul Desmuke, left an impression on colleagues as well as audiences.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Naked dresses, for all the fervent discussion, can be surprisingly modest.
    Oscar Holland, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • An artist and activist with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Rotolo encouraged Dylan’s support for the nascent civil rights movement.
    Grant Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Customers are encouraged to check Rite Aid's website for holiday store hours.
    Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • It’s finished with red wood veneer, which adds a rustic and warm feel to the piece.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Grant was polite and warm, albeit confused about having an indoor life and this influx of love and care.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Will the timepieces that make their debut in the coming months reflect the exuberance of the former period or the practicality inspired by the reckoning that came after?
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Hailey's husband Justin Bieber, were attending their pal Lauren Perez's bowling birthday party at Lucky Strike Beverly Hills at the Beverly Center, which may have inspired their boxy attire.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But that independence, and particularly the eye-opening success that EMPIRE has experienced over the past few years, has also brought scrutiny — and tests of Ghazi’s commitment, particularly during a time of intense consolidation in the music business.
    Dan Rys, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025
  • With rain that could be intense enough to cause #mudslides.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the physical and emotional toll their work extracts, the women who live at the parlor have fortified an impenetrable sisterhood.
    Michaela Zee, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
  • White was noticeably emotional addressing the audience of cast, crew, network executives, and supporters inside the Paramount Theatre.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near impassioned

Cite this Entry

“Impassioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassioned. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impassioned

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!