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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

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 ardor Can Paris deliver on the ardor, the enthusiasm Macron promised that day in Lausanne and provide a springboard to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles? Scott M. Reid, Orange County Register, 19 July 2024 But any non-cynic can’t help but be swept up in its doomed ardor. 53. Will Leitch, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024 As an alternative, de Meo has pleaded with policymakers to increase demand incentives for cautious European drivers, whose ardor for EVs has cooled in recent years amid inflationary pressures. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 May 2024 In their steamiest moments together, Coughlan and Newton emit a tenderness that instantly wipes away any doubts a viewer could possibly have about the characters’ ardor for each other. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for ardor 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardor
Noun
  • Biden left the race in late July, endorsing Harris — and she was greeted with a wave of enthusiasm and support as the Democratic Party quickly coalesced around her.
    Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
  • As the surge of enthusiasm over Beijing’s September economic stimulus effort has dissipated, the authorities have promised more.
    Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Or maybe your thirst for wine knowledge rivals your thirst for wine.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
  • For all my thirst for ghost stories as a kid, the ghost-hunting fad that came later never really captured my imagination in the same way.
    Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The dedication and passion shown by individuals like Nichole Latrese Gardner and her team are inspiring.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • In today’s business culture where team members are searching for more purpose and passion in their career choices, companies who still believe that business is not personal risk going the way of the dinosaurs.
    Meridith Alexander, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The bright orange-and-red water spouts off the cliff with the visual intensity of a raging forest fire.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • High intensity activities mean fit and brightness are super important.
    Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Love, lust, and vulnerability have become signature themes for Hunxho, who hails from North Carolina but was raised in East Atlanta.
    Yoh Phillips, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Like Water for Chocolate is a melodrama in the best possible sense of the word—a larger-than-life historical epic of love and lust, birth and death, duty and destiny.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The cerebral cortex is the brain’s outermost layer and is involved in many of the higher functions of the human brain including memory, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and emotions..
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Feel it completely, as denying or resisting emotions often amplifies them.
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Meerkats' cooperation efforts include huddling together for warmth and standing to serve as a safety lookout for the group.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Highly durable and stretchy, the pants have a lightweight construction and relaxed fit that's fortified with the brand's soft fleece lining for extra warmth.
    Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near ardor

Cite this Entry

“Ardor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardor. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ardor

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