AVID Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'avid' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of avid are anxious , athirst , eager , and keen . While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed. // avid for new thrills

Q: When might 'anxious' be a better fit than 'avid'?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment. // anxious not to make a social blunder

Q: Where would 'athirst' be a reasonable alternative to 'avid'?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action. // athirst for adventure

Q: When could 'eager' be used to replace 'avid'?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid , eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint. // eager to get started

Q: When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'avid'?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action. // keen on the latest fashions

avid

adjective

ˈa-vəd

Definition of avid next

as in eager

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions stared at the array of jewels with an avid glint in his eye

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excited

showing urgent desire or interest an avid baseball card collector

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word avid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of avid are anxious, athirst, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

When might anxious be a better fit than avid?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

Where would athirst be a reasonable alternative to avid?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When could eager be used to replace avid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When is it sensible to use keen instead of avid?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

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 avid Why Trust Travel + Leisure Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, and bikepacker with more than a decade of professional gear testing experience. —

Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025 The multi-time world champion is an avid Chicago Bears fan, having gone viral this past season for getting thrown out of the stands and onto the field at the Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts game. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 Of course, there’s also the aforementioned detached garage for the avid car enthusiast. —

Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025 The actress, 49, revealed on a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live that award for Best Onscreen Kiss Partner in her book goes to her longtime pal and avid Drew Barrymore Show viewer, Adam Sandler. —

EW.com, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for avid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for avid

Adjective

Advertisers seemed eager to evoke a smile or recognition, and then get off the stage.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
The Chiefs are trying to become the first NFL team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, and the Eagles are eager to stop them and avenge their 2023 loss.

— NPR Staff, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025