Definition of ardornext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun ardor differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ardor are enthusiasm, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," 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 ardor?

While the synonyms enthusiasm and ardor are close in meaning, enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When is fervor a more appropriate choice than ardor?

The meanings of fervor and ardor largely overlap; however, fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When is it sensible to use passion instead of ardor?

While in some cases nearly identical to ardor, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

When might zeal be a better fit than ardor?

The synonyms zeal and ardor are sometimes interchangeable, but zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 ardor The power of an abiding trinity is also not lost on Winter, who will be interacting with three women in their sixties and beyond, the ardor of long lives adding dimension to the dance. Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 At times, Anderson trivializes the righteous ardor that goes into active, violent resistance, but there is nothing trivial in his portrait of shattered lives and relationships and of an American society shaken to its core. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025 At the same time, some automakers’ ardor for electric vehicles is cooling. Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025 For now at least, that reality isn’t blunting the temporary ardor for counter-attack. Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ardor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardor
Noun
  • The test of whether organizations will translate that enthusiasm into political wins won't come until November.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Hardware enthusiasm While there are doubts about the software industry, Wall Street has resounding confidence that hardware companies are AI winners.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Send Help gives its beleaguered office-worker protagonist a thirst for blood.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
  • But at this point, the trend’s persistence and the thirst with which its products are consumed suggest a more profound connection between these stories and their audience.
    Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Both juries rejected a defense argument that Alkayyali was under the influence of sudden passion, and would have considered a term of two to 20 years if they were persuaded by the argument.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • In its place, the Fire Horse is galloping into view, calling us to approach life with passion and courage.
    Annabel Gat, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Historic volatility The Cboe Gold Volatility Index surged this month to its highest level since the Covid pandemic in 2020, reflecting the intensity of the metal’s recent volatility.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • These settings reduce the speed and intensity of the tumbling action, minimizing the likelihood of tangling.
    Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After debuting with minimal fanfare in November 2025, the provocative Canadian drama about rival hockey players whose passion explodes into lust (and eventually love) became a word-of-mouth sensation.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
  • As children growing up in the same highly dysfunctional household, the two form a bond more passionate than siblinghood and purer than lust.
    New York Times, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Mostly, however, Gee’s sophisticated, stealthily moving film folds any bursts of emotion into its exquisitely dark shadows, letting Evans’ limpid but heartsore music do most of the weeping.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The bronze finish adds drama and warmth to your space, even without a decorative finial or end cap.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 11 Feb. 2026
  • His grandmother Dilma cares for the boy, with her warmth and open-mindedness, giving him the space to be – well, simply himself.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ardor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardor. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ardor

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