Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of perfervid are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and passionate. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

When might ardent be a better fit than perfervid?

The words ardent and perfervid can be used in similar contexts, but ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

In what contexts can fervent take the place of perfervid?

While in some cases nearly identical to perfervid, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When can fervid be used instead of perfervid?

The words fervid and perfervid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When would impassioned be a good substitute for perfervid?

The synonyms impassioned and perfervid are sometimes interchangeable, but impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When is it sensible to use passionate instead of perfervid?

While the synonyms passionate and perfervid are close in meaning, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

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 perfervid The scant paintings on view reverse an emphasis on figurative imagery in the 2019 Biennial, tilting toward a lately prevalent revival of abstraction in perfervid styles that have yet to demonstrate staying power. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 This latest controversy won’t dent Thomas’s formidable reputation as a jurist, but it’s another mark against his perfervid critics who have no decency. Rich Lowry, National Review, 1 Apr. 2022 So why, with all this perfervid material at her disposal, did the director, Haifaa Al-Mansour, and her co-screenwriter, Emma Jensen, opt for such cautiousness? Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 May 2018 Down south near San Diego, gray-faced children toil in a slave-labor camp that Dickens could not have imagined in his most perfervid dreams. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 4 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfervid
Adjective
  • Barman is passionate about removing friction in the DIY process.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Leaders who are passionate about their work inspire their teams to share that enthusiasm.
    Edward DeAngelis, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Decibel readers in the rafters of the arena can measure the loudest seats in the building, and the Clippers reward those fans with prizes to incentivize more fervent cheering.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Cheney, the former congresswoman from Wyoming, had been widely regarded as a fervent conservative on almost every issue.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While the white oak shelves and tin ceiling create a beautiful space, my staff and I have worked hard to cultivate a warm and inviting environment for everyone.
    American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In many regions, spring weather can fluctuate between cold and dry to warm and slightly humid.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether singing a cappella or accompanied by her guitar to hundreds or thousands of people − at a small venue or an awards show − Lafourcade's performances feel visceral, intense and intimate all at once.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Controversy over wolf management can become more emotional and political than scientific.
    Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
  • These tools aim to improve market prediction by understanding emotional and thematic patterns in earnings calls and press releases.
    Lester Pereira, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the protests have focused on President Donald Trump's policies and Elon Musk's sweeping federal cuts, of which Greene has been an ardent supporter.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The iconic singer was shot and killed in 1995, and this somber milestone was not missed by many of her most ardent supporters.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eric Bailly was the most enthusiastic dancer, standing on the massage table giving it some and kicking pizza boxes.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Buehrle delighted a cold but enthusiastic crowd of 25,390 at the stadium during a 6-0 blanking of the Texas Rangers.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis urged political leaders to guard against religious extremism and warned Catholics not to force their faith on others during a 2024 visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Francis forged strong friendships with other religious leaders and expanded the church's outreach to the Muslim and Arab world.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perfervid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfervid. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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