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 Mendoza has been an ardent critic of the Johnson administration on social media and is considering a run for Chicago mayor. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 Field’s somber, clear-eyed Sonya has ardent desires but few illusions. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025 The United States, the most vocal and ardent opponent of reform, has formally left the WHO, but its pressure no doubt will be felt. Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 The project was first fundraised by Critical Role’s ardent fanbase, who shelled out more than $11.3 million on Kickstarter to bring a 10-episode season to life. Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Livvy Dunne gave a passionate testimony during a final hearing regarding the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement.
    Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • El Monte resident Jen Venegas is an avid fan of the local library.
    Victoria Ivie, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Young has always been an avid reader, starting from the Scholastic book fairs at her elementary school.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 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
  • Decibel readers in the rafters of the arena can measure the loudest seats in the building, and the Clippers reward those fans with prizes to incentivize more fervent cheering.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Cheney, the former congresswoman from Wyoming, had been widely regarded as a fervent conservative on almost every issue.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eric Bailly was the most enthusiastic dancer, standing on the massage table giving it some and kicking pizza boxes.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Buehrle delighted a cold but enthusiastic crowd of 25,390 at the stadium during a 6-0 blanking of the Texas Rangers.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Her viral speech in Minneapolis in 2020 remains one of the most searing indictments of state violence in recent memory.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Storms in the South can topple shade trees, opening yards to the searing summer sun.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kolache fans headed to Florida's Gulf Coast shouldn't get too excited yet, though.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • His new kick-change has been a nice weapon against lefties and Taillon is excited about the pitch.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These calls have continued through an alarming run of temperature records, with the planet registering its hottest year in human history in 2024.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Dozens of children tragically perish each year in cars that quickly heat up when left in the hot sun, even if the temperatures don't feel hot out.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 25 Apr. 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!