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a passionate interest
an enthusiastic interest
a devoted interest
an eager interest
a profound interest
a deep interest
a passionate debate
an intense debate
a heated debate
a vigorous debate
a furious debate
a violent debate
passionate love
heated love
sensual love
intense love

Synonym Chooser

How is the word passionate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of passionate are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When could ardent be used to replace passionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to passionate, ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is it sensible to use fervent instead of passionate?

Although the words fervent and passionate have much in common, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is fervid a more appropriate choice than passionate?

While the synonyms fervid and passionate are close in meaning, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of passionate?

The words impassioned and passionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When might perfervid be a better fit than passionate?

The words perfervid and passionate can be used in similar contexts, but 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 passionate Together, Johnson and León offer an intense rendering of this song praising a passionate lover whose affections are worth the heartbreaking pain that ultimately follows. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025 Woodhull was a passionate suffragist who has mostly been forgotten by history. Jackie Lay, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025 Furrowed brows, smiles, shouts and tears occupied the faces of passionate protesters, who bellowed chants that echoed off the concrete sky-rise buildings. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2025 Expect to feel energized and passionate in your one-on-one connections — whether that’s with a romantic partner, a close friend or a business colleague. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate
Adjective
  • Some bees can remember experiencing high heat and weigh this against the reward of sugar when it’s offered in hot containers.
    Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The script, from first-time feature writer Nora Garrett, was a hot property among readers in recent years.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Thurmond, the fervent segregationist senator from South Carolina, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes — 46 minutes less than Booker.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Even when projects earned mixed reviews from film critics or flew under the radar, Kilmer’s performances still drew commendations and cultivated a fervent fan following.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Julianne being available and excited, wanting to come and play in the sandbox; James, similarly.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But the Devils are a bit of a mess thanks to injuries, which makes this matchup hard to get too excited over.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of worrying that rich foods would lead to lustful appetites, Americans began worrying that rich foods would kill their libidos.
    Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The story about Dieter sounds mostly made up, likely by a lustful Kier who invented a lustful brother to cover up his secret shame.
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket and additional warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • It’s kept me warm in the cold winter months but has transitioned easily into spring.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In recent decades, luxury has evolved from a surface transactional experience to one focused on longevity, wellness and intense experiences.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Directed by Shinji Higuchi—known for blending stunning visuals with gripping human drama in works like Shin Godzilla—this panic-suspense thriller follows the intense struggles of those racing to save lives under extreme conditions.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But our horny widow is the pinnacle of health — her pregnancy is real!
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Her face was an amalgam of horny disbelief and disgust.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Louis Vuitton was among the first to recognize how crucial a deep emotional connection is to a brand; the company launched its Travel Book collection in 2013.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand.
    Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passionate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on passionate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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