1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ardent are fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is fervent a more appropriate choice than ardent?

The words fervent and ardent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is it sensible to use fervid instead of ardent?

While the synonyms fervid and ardent are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of ardent?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardent, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When could passionate be used to replace ardent?

In some situations, the words passionate and ardent are roughly equivalent. However, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When might perfervid be a better fit than ardent?

The meanings of perfervid and ardent largely overlap; however, 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 ardent The sea of ardent fans answered his call to repeat his tagline, too. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2025 Heinlein's book has been the subject of some controversy, as its ardent militarism and unsympathetic rendering of alien antagonists have been widely described as fascist. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025 Sitting stone-faced and silent during an explosive Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky, Rubio’s expression was closely watched for signs of discomfort, given his long-standing, ardent support for Ukraine. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025 Barrett's role, in particular, as a potential foil on Trump's plans isn't lost on the president's most ardent supporters, many of whom directed their ire toward the conservative justice after Wednesday's ruling on foreign aid. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Despite some of the passionate opposition, the committee voted 6-2 in favor of the bill on Tuesday.
    Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond his impressive accomplishments on the field, Jake brings a passionate, competitive spirit and leadership qualities that align perfectly with our organizational values.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After an avid cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run during his morning commute last year, police in New Mexico were at a loss for who could have committed the crime.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
  • As an avid past user of the brand’s ball, Foley now finds himself in a full-circle moment as Maxfli’s latest brand ambassador, joining Lexi Thompson (LPGA) and Ben Griffin (PGA Tour).
    Michael LoRé, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
  • If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean.
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019
Adjective
  • There was a David N. Bossie, the president of Citizens United—yes, that Citizens United, whose 2010 court case upended American democracy by allowing corporations unlimited political spending—and a fervent Trump supporter.
    David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • For fervent powder hounds, guests of the hotel can have concierge arrange private ski tours.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Although Lederman is enthusiastic about this business model, Frannexus isn’t in the business of convincing clients to buy franchises.
    Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
  • There was an aerospace position that paid twice as much as U.S.G.S., and a mining venture that promised a novel application of A.I. Mary was not enthusiastic.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The main topic of conversation was how the duo turned a photo album featuring the banal daily activities of workers at Auschwitz-Birkenau into a searing play.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Every actor’s Hamlet is theirs and theirs alone, and Olivier’s is big and hammy and searing and often quite devastating.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • March Madness is here and fans are excited to watch one of the more popular events of the sports calendar year.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • While some locals are excited to gossip about the church, others are much more tight-lipped.
    Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And in the dead of Southern summers, the last thing any sleeper wants to encounter is being hot, and that’s where science steps in.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Wiggins was hot, but the Heat’s leading duo was relatively quiet.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ardent

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!