as in fervent
feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc.; filled with zeal
zealous fans She was one of the president's most zealous supporters. The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.
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Recent Examples of zealous
Since joining the bench, many of Trump’s judges and especially his justices have behaved as zealous advocates for the Republican Party and its causes.
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Ian Millhiser, Vox, 25 Sep. 2024
The agencies, always zealous about protecting their sources and methods, prefer to talk as little as possible, and as vaguely as possible.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Tanton was also drawing closer to Jared Taylor, whose writings about the superiority of white people had earned him a zealous following.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
Following an altercation—one that a 911 dispatcher urged the overly zealous neighborhood watchman to avoid—Martin lay on the ground, shot dead by a single bullet that traversed his heart and lung.
—Cedric Dark, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zealous 
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 25 Sep. 2024
The agencies, always zealous about protecting their sources and methods, prefer to talk as little as possible, and as vaguely as possible.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Tanton was also drawing closer to Jared Taylor, whose writings about the superiority of white people had earned him a zealous following.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024
Following an altercation—one that a 911 dispatcher urged the overly zealous neighborhood watchman to avoid—Martin lay on the ground, shot dead by a single bullet that traversed his heart and lung.
—Cedric Dark, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealous
Adjective
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On the cusp of his second presidency, all of us—from his most fanatical supporters to his most fervent critics—are living in the Age of Trump.Sam Jacobs, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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The sentiment was echoed on social media by Vice President-elect JD Vance, a fervent critic of American foreign policy overreach.Michael Crowley, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The music legend left the stage to another round of enthusiastic applause.Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024
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But the general response was an enthusiastic desire for Paul to expand her argument.Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The ardent lyrics on Mind Games could only come from the open heart of a deeply devoted husband.Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
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Even ardent believers of Adani also appear to be rethinking their backing of the conglomerate.Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Like her older sisters, Hunter is passionate about cheer and tumbling.Nasha Smith, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
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The winery blends tradition with passionate winemaking.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Zealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealous. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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