Definition of ardentnext
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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ardent are fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate, and perfervid. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

When is fervent a more appropriate choice than ardent?

The words fervent and ardent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When is it sensible to use fervid instead of ardent?

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

fervid love letters

When can impassioned be used instead of ardent?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardent, impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When could passionate be used to replace ardent?

In some situations, the words passionate and ardent are roughly equivalent. However, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

When might perfervid be a better fit than ardent?

The meanings of perfervid and ardent largely overlap; however, 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 ardent But he is reassured by the president's longstanding friendship with Cuban Americans who are among his most ardent supporters. CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Consider the book a must for the most ardent fashion lovers in your life—not to mention the perfect way to wish Grace a happy 85th birthday today. Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026 Lively Mars energizes your 9th House of Travel, sextiling ardent Pluto in your 7th House of Connections. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026 The secretary’s most ardent critics worry the show will only serve as a greater amplifier of misinformation. Joseph Choi, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardent
Adjective
  • Savannah is so passionate about the game.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Feelings of affection will become passionate.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Fandom, whether people like to classify themselves as members or not, has existed as long as there’s been entertainment, and extends beyond whatever TV show happens to be the current hit; athletes, sports teams, musicians, books, superheroes and more all have their avid fanbases.
    Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The White House has said Trump is an avid defender of the First Amendment and characterized certain controversial actions as efforts to maintain public safety and order.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.
    Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The tax proposal authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, D-San Rafael, has drawn fervent interest.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The slur has been an unwelcome feature at matches involving Mexico and its fervent fans for two decades, though it is not limited to El Tri.
    Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Not everyone is enthusiastic about the new possibilities.
    T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The vibrant purple and vivid oranges, reds, and yellows will bring in enthusiastic bees and butterflies.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
  • One of the most exciting restorations of this year, or any other year, comes to New York this Sunday, May 3rd, with a rare screening of Frank Perry’s searing and lyrical 1969 teen drama Last Summer at the Paris Theater.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • At Fox, Collier became known for his passional embrace of blockchain, NFTs and the whole Web3 space.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • This is a fan base reveling in the first playoff experience in 15 years, and the Sabres have given them plenty to get excited about.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Was so excited to make these and they were ruined by your poor recipe like many others!
    Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardent. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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