Synonyms of zeal

zeal

noun

as in vigor

a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

She attacked her homework with renewed zeal after getting her first A.

a politician known for his zeal for reform

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vigor
• passion
• enthusiasm
• fervor
• ardor
• élan
• energy
• fire
• vitality
• gusto
• dynamism
• verve
• eagerness
• drive
• dash
• exuberance
• hardihood
• pep
• brio
• zest
• vim
• starch
• vinegar
• esprit
• ginger
• life
• juice
• oomph
• bounce
• zing
• get-up-and-go
• gas
• relish
• avidity
• zip
• punch
• beans
• sap
• keenness
• go
• vivacity
• moxie
• spirit
• liveliness
• spiritedness
• spunk
• vibrancy
• briskness
• sprightliness
• animation
• snap
• animal spirits
• vivaciousness
• jauntiness
• vibrance
• spunkiness
• snappiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• apathy
• disinterestedness
• indolence
• lukewarmness
• laziness
• lethargy
• halfheartedness
• perfunctoriness
• sluggishness
• listlessness
• torpidity

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun zeal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of zeal are ardor, enthusiasm, fervor, and passion. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

When is ardor a more appropriate choice than zeal?

While in some cases nearly identical to zeal, 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 zeal?

The words enthusiasm and zeal 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 could fervor be used to replace zeal?

While the synonyms fervor and zeal are close in meaning, fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When can passion be used instead of zeal?

The synonyms passion and zeal are sometimes interchangeable, but passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of zeal

Many blamed Biden’s antitrust zeal with helping slowdown M&A. —Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2024

But that zeal for lavishing cash did not carry over to the school’s athletic department, which ranked fourth from the bottom of the conference with just $16 million in donations over the same period. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

Likely because of its life-affirming message, joyous dance sequences and old-fashioned musical zeal — all of which show up in this latest production starring Cheyenne Jackson as the nightclub owner Georges, Kevin Cahoon as the drag star Albin, and Ryan J. Haddad as their son, Jean-Michel. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Over the past four years, antitrust enforcement has become unmoored from its economic foundations, driven instead by ideological zeal and political opportunism. —Mark Jamison, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024