PASSION Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'passion' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection , emotion , feeling , and sentiment . While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion. // revenge became his ruling passion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'affection' instead of 'passion'?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings. // a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Q: How are the words 'emotion' and 'feeling' related as synonyms of 'passion'?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling , encompasses both positive and negative responses. // the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

Q: When would 'feeling' be a good substitute for 'passion'?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it. // the feelings that once moved me are gone

Q: When can 'sentiment' be used instead of 'passion'?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea. // her feminist sentiments are well known

passion

noun

ˈpa-shən

Definition of passion next

as in love

a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone married at the age of 18, they share a passion that has lasted for over half a century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crush

a strong but often short-lived liking for another person her passion passed when she got to know him

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in desire

a strong wish for something a passion to become a doctor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in emotion

a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation people are sometimes slaves to their own passions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in enthusiasm

depth of feeling your passion for your cause is admirable, but you still can't insult people who disagree with you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in feeling

passions plural general emotional condition people who are swayed by their passions and not by reason

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in lust

intense sexual desire their relationship began with passion but a deep love quickly grew between them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frigidity

as in lustfulness

sexual appetite the kind of pent-up passion that comes from having spent the winter in remote isolation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word passion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection, emotion, feeling, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is it sensible to use affection instead of passion?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of passion?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When would feeling be a good substitute for passion?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

When can sentiment be used instead of passion?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

Examples 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 passion Grillo's Pickles, founded in 2008, began as a passion project for Travis Grillo, who started selling his pickles from a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and a humble pickle cart on Boston Common. —

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 Mars retrograde will be underway, re-entering Cancer—your fifth house of passion and creativity—on January 6. —

Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024 As a lifelong car enthusiast Karl has combined his passion for personal transportation with his passion for ... —

Karl Brauer, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 One of the apprentices, who had a passion for adding saffron to the molten glass, hit on the idea of making the plain risotto for the wedding dinner turn gold like his windows. —

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for passion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for passion

Noun

Kennebunkport, Maine While Kennebunkport is charming year-round, February brings a month-long celebration of love, transforming this coastal town into an amorous wonderland for its Paint the Town Red celebration.

Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are feeling the love heading into 2025.

Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025