Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fervor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fervor are ardor, enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could ardor be used to replace fervor?

In some situations, the words ardor and fervor are roughly equivalent. However, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might enthusiasm be a better fit than fervor?

The words enthusiasm and fervor can be used in similar contexts, but enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When is it sensible to use passion instead of fervor?

The meanings of passion and fervor largely overlap; however, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

When would zeal be a good substitute for fervor?

While in some cases nearly identical to fervor, 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 fervor The group quickly shifted from religious fervor to political messaging. Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 8 July 2025 Nuclear fusion has proved similarly challenging, despite being pursued with similar fervor. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 9 Aug. 2025 The fervor around the $1 trillion brand has never been stronger, simultaneously compelling fans to make pilgrimages from as far as Nova Scotia and attracting protesters who decry Musk’s stance on just about everything. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025 The Paris Commune—seventy-two days of intense revolutionary fervor—followed. Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fervor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fervor
Noun
  • However, the enthusiasm was short-lived, as the sell-off on Monday revealed that investors remain anxious about the uncertainties regarding the frequency and magnitude of potential rate cuts.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • In places without a data center, local officials expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of expanding the tax base.
    Justin Worland, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This dynamic took on fresh intensity on Monday, when Trump renewed his criticisms of Pritzker, taunting his physical fitness and musing about sending the National Guard to Chicago.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Lucy Liu gives a tour-de-force performance, delivering fierce intensity and emotional depth that will stay with audiences long after the final frame.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • His live set felt like a celebration of his 35-year Nashville legacy, chosen and served like a delightful, metaphorical smorgasbord of powerful emotions.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • This con was designed to bypass human logic and hijack human emotion.
    Michael Cannivet, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • These dwellings are a cornerstone of nomadic life—designed for portability, warmth, and resilience on the steppe.
    Undraa Buyannemekh, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Dogs may also follow you from room to room or prefer to sleep near you, seeking warmth, protection, and closeness.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The group is part of the Thursday Murder Club at their retirement home, who come together to use their expertise and passion for mysteries to solve cold cases for fun.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The focus was less on politics and more on the comical passion some people had for a person as phony as Trump – a man who had been the punch line of popular culture for decades.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fervor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fervor. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fervor

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!