fervor

noun

fer·​vor ˈfər-vər 

1

: intensity of feeling or expression

booing and cheering with almost equal fervor

—Alan Rich

revolutionary fervor

2

: intense heat

Synonyms

• ardency
• ardor
• emotion
• enthusiasm
• fervency
• fervidness
• fire
• heat
• intenseness
• intensity
• passion
• passionateness
• vehemence
• violence
• warmth
• white heat

Choose the Right Synonym for fervor

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of fervor in a Sentence

As Nina has grown more observant, Andras has become distanced from her. Her religious fervor doesn't interest him. Coming to tradition late, Nina has all the pedantry of an autodidact. Her strivings seem inauthentic to Andras, and not at all spiritual. —Allegra Goodman, Kaaterskill Falls, 1998

Certainly being the son of a pastor had contributed to Vincent's religiosity, but in time even his father was disturbed by the growing intensity of his son's fervor. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times Book Review, 12 Aug. 1990

In her renewed fervor, Norma fears that the past decade has turned women inward, away from one another, and away, too, from the notion that solidarity among women is ultimately a source of personal strength. —Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 6 July 1986

Reciting, her voice took on resonance and firmness, it rang with the old fervor, with ferocity even. —Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings, 1983

The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day.

The novel captures the revolutionary fervor of the period.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her concerts caused earthquakes, created a Beatlemania-level of fervor, impacted local economies and brought a collective joy to millions of people still reeling from the dark days of the pandemic. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024

Elected in 2016 with a mandate for reform in the wake of the killing of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer, Foxx has been in the middle of nearly every conversation about safety and justice in Cook County, often with a polarizing fervor. —Chicago Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024

At a time of populist fervor (and concern that these institutions have abandoned rigorous inquiry for activist ideology), this Ivy League overrepresentation has been a sore spot. —Frederick Hess, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The cause of all this fervor, of course, is the creative output of François-Paul Journe, the mad genius of his eponymous maison and widely regarded as one of the world’s most gifted watchmakers. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fervour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French fervur, from Latin fervor, from fervēre — see fervent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fervor

noun

fer·​vor ˈfər-vər 

: strength of feeling