zeal

Synonym Chooser

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

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 zeal The lesson drawn and instilled by his family was that the Gentile zeal for Jewish death is implacable and that only Jewish strength in a Jewish land can oppose it. David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 In his zeal to field a contender, Adams had created an all-or-nothing scenario for the 1993 season. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Few have skewered La-La land with such zeal as this 10-episode Apple TV+ series from creator/writer/star Seth Rogen, executive producer/co-creator Evan Goldberg and co-creators Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 With gleaming new infrastructure and a zeal for technological progress lacking in the United States, these regions show that the West is no longer exceptional in its embrace of progress, contrary to what Maine once posited. Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal
Noun
  • The pop star has learned to prioritize her personal care with the same vigor that fueled her professional triumphs.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Premature removal of the plant foliage reduces plant vigor and bulb size.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His unique passions and experiences lead him to create works that truly resonate with his audience.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • At age 14, Tom Schröder had no idea that his passion for sailing would lead him to an ocean odyssey spanning the globe.
    Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The enthusiasm has spawned an industry that turns offal—a catchall term for an animal’s nonmuscular parts—into pill or powdered form.
    Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Royals broadcaster Rex Hudler wears his heart on his sleeve when calling games, and his enthusiasm is evident to anyone who has tuned to FanDuel Sports Kansas City.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Back then, the anti-immigration fervor of the Tea Party was just starting to emerge.
    Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Relevance is even more important amid an ongoing fervor for beauty dupes.
    Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Zeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zeal. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on zeal

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