ARDOR Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ardor

noun

ˈär-dər

Definition of ardor next

as in enthusiasm

depth of feeling candidates for citizenship reciting the oath of allegiance to the United States with all the ardor that they could muster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thirst

urgent desire or interest his ardor for combat cooled once he began experiencing the horrors of war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in passion

intense sexual desire her revealing outfit only inflamed his ardor all the more

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frigidity

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 What’s positive in its passionate abstractions is the sense of three-dimensionality, of musical schemas that have the open airiness of modern architecture, the introspective ardor of thought under construction. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 In this novel of ardor and tested fidelity, Jin, a photographer, finds her life at a standstill. —

The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 His campaign halted political activities in deference to the sensitivity of the moment, even as aides acknowledged that his opponent’s staring down a bullet would only intensify the MAGA movement’s ardor and maybe strengthen Trump’s advantage in the race. —

Brian Bennett, TIME, 21 July 2024 Can Paris deliver on the ardor, the enthusiasm Macron promised that day in Lausanne and provide a springboard to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles? —

Scott M. Reid, Orange County Register, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ardor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardor

Noun

Missoula, Montana, where he was born, bequeathed him a folksy Eagle Scout congeniality, all nasal delivery and gee-whiz enthusiasm.

— Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025
Rancho Santa Fe’s La Valle Coastal Club experienced one of its biggest increases in golf and racquet sports memberships last year as enthusiasm built around a complete club overhaul.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025