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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ardor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ardor are enthusiasm, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

Where would enthusiasm be a reasonable alternative to ardor?

While the synonyms enthusiasm and ardor are close in meaning, enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When is fervor a more appropriate choice than ardor?

The meanings of fervor and ardor largely overlap; however, fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When is it sensible to use passion instead of ardor?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardor, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

When might zeal be a better fit than ardor?

The synonyms zeal and ardor are sometimes interchangeable, but zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 ardor Every title in her catalog is benefiting from the exciting news, but none seem to have attracted the ardor of her legion of fans quite like Reputation. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 While Republican officeholders are reluctant to directly condemn Trump, several have expressed the hope that the ardor for tariffs will be short-lived. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025 Each letter comes across as a set piece, a small achievement of style and tone: Vasari’s flowery, deferential missives to the duke, Maria’s youthful ardor and confusion, the overly pious cattiness of a nun. Chelsea Leu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 Charles’ ardor also applies to Herb’s former musical and romantic partner, Nell Mortimer (Mulligan). Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ardor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardor
Noun
  • But those with long memories are tempering enthusiasm with prudence, remembering how the dot-com bubble led to unsustainable valuations and a painful crash.
    Tiz Gambacorta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This reveals how enthusiasm without integration discipline wastes time and capital.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This year finds artists quenching fans’ thirst for pop hits, literally.
    Gary Trust, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Passionate about all things food and beverage, newness in flavor and technique quench my thirst for information, but so does learning about the people and places behind these movements.
    Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her passion spread more during the pandemic when some things were hard to get so Quigley began growing her own lettuce.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To wit, Andrea Tarella has succeeded in transforming his passion for drawing into a profession, working with brands ranging from Prada and Gucci to Valentino.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Health agencies recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of strength training exercises, which includes lifting weights or performing muscle-building activities.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • That tends to increase the intensity and frequency of geomagnetic storms.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel Hamnet imagined the relationship between the Bard and his spouse as an intimate tale of lust, compromise, joy, resentment, support, and sorrow.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Love and lust were at the heart of True Blood — and not just in the swamps of Bon Temps.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Don't hide from the layers of emotions and frustrations.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • King's works have always run on big, outsized emotions, and De Palma, with all his extra-ness, may have been the perfect director to first bring the author's work to the screen.
    James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Boox has added a frontlight to the display that can vary both its brightness and its color warmth.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Then, there’s the power to see through all of that, through what could be perceived as pain or a negative situation, and see the colorfulness of my culture, the warmth of my culture, and the community, as well.
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ardor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardor. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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