PASSIONATE Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

passionate

adjective

ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət

Definition of passionate next

as in hot

having a strong sexual desire a passionate couple plunging into a new relationship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fervent

having or expressing great depth of feeling a passionate defense of the controversial play

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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

intimate love

sensual love

intense love

romantic 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 After all, there’s nothing Venus in Aries loves more than a passionate pursuit, an adventure where there’s no room for second-guessing. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025 Arthur Douglas has been passionate about guns his entire life. —

Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025 And clients who are passionate about the outdoors will find a good match here too, as the team also offers landscape and exterior design services. —

Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025 The superstar joined Jennifer Hudson on the latter’s daytime talk show, where Hudson asked Rowland what inspired her passionate uplifting of her fellow women. —

Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for passionate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for passionate

Adjective

The lady from New York, their big thing was called white hot hot dogs — really unique, smaller, and a larger ring bologna diameter.

— Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Spicy foods, caffeine, hot drinks, and alcohol can contribute to overheating.5 Evidence suggests that diets rich in phytoestrogens—plant compounds that act similarly to the hormone estrogen—may help balance hormone levels and ease hot flashes.

— Sarah Jividen, Health, 15 Feb. 2025