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

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as in crush

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

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as in desire

a strong wish for something a passion to become a doctor

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as in emotion

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

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as in enthusiasm

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

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as in feeling

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

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as in lust

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

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frigidity

as in lustfulness

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

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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 of passion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bakery stops have been few and far between, but that relatable passion helped introduce Harris to the American public at lightning speed. —

Meghan McCarron, Bon Appétit, 29 Oct. 2024 However, much like Taurus’ depth and passion, Sandy’s character also reveals a bold, sultry side at the end of the film. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 Each performance is a celebration of identity, passion and the enduring spirit of women coming together to create something beautiful. —

Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024 From the outset, he was driven by a passion for building and solving problems through technology. —

Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for passion

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'passion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.