zeal

noun

Definition of zealnext
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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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 Katherine Graham, the then-publisher of the Washington Post, was facing intense pressure to pull support from the investigative zeal of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, her young reporting stars. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 7 May 2026 Yet his single-minded zeal is inseparable from his intolerance. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 But Elham, a contentious and fiercely competitive student, suspects that Marjan’s zeal for anglophone culture, including Hollywood romantic comedies, masks a resentment for the Iranian life she is now stuck with. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026 Let your enthusiasm sell your ideas, not your zeal. —Georgia Nichols, Dallas Morning News, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal
  1. vigor
  2. passion
  3. enthusiasm
  4. fervor
Noun
  • Paz began his term with vigor, reaching out to the international community to break the isolation that had characterized the MAS era.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
  • Nina, Karen and Caroline started appearing in my daydreams, full of vigor and life lessons.
    — Jennifer Acker, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Definition of vigor
Noun
  • Amarteifio and Edebiri have an understated chemistry that makes the covert passion between these two women believable.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, Cervejaria Blumenau brings new flavors to the scene with passion-fruit sours, peach ales, double IPAs, and blonde ales that proudly embrace their Brazilian roots.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Definition of passion
Noun
  • Travolta’s infectious enthusiasm carried over into the movie itself, a semi-autobiographical trifle about his childhood love of air travel.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
  • But even that enthusiasm seems to be waning.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • Yet the fervor, whether consequential or minor, in some ways has little to do with the actual physical experience of being in Venice, scouring the city for art.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
  • Mexico has embraced her with a fervor the Spanish never intended.
    — Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Definition of fervor

Browse Nearby Words

zaps
zeal
zealot
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Cite this Entry

“Zeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zeal. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zeal

Nglish: Translation of zeal for Spanish Speakers

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