ZEAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

zeal

noun

Definition of zeal next

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

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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

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 zeal The scandal has rocked the city-state, known for its zeal for clean governance, with Iswaran having become the first former minister to be sentenced to prison in almost half a century. —

Low De Wei and Bernadette Toh / Bloomberg, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 The resilience of the Indian spirit is further exemplified by the entrepreneurial zeal that permeates the nation. —

Pankaj Vasani, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 As their presence has ballooned to over 250,000 followers, one thing that followers noticed was the zeal with which employees promoted the product. —

Lindsay Kohler, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The Republicans, in thrall to former and perhaps future president Donald Trump, have embraced his illiberal nationalism, his protectionist zeal and his anti-migrant nativism. —

Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for zeal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal

Noun

The firm has been betting on the South with even greater vigor since 2021, when Morali became CEO and Nicole was made president.

Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Neither are refuted or corrected with the same vigor and enthusiasm seen when the seed of scandal is first set.

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024