ardor

noun

ˈär-dər How to pronounce ardor (audio)
Definition of ardornext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in passion
intense sexual desire her revealing outfit only inflamed his ardor all the more

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 After an early-morning session with the hens, a gobbler’s ardor may rise again at midday. — Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026 In the early 1980s, in the full flush of revolutionary ardor and against an age-old enemy who had attacked them without provocation, the Iranian people and armed forces fought and suffered for their country. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026 By contrast with the work of other documentary filmmakers of similarly observational ardor, Depardon’s method is rugged. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026 The ardor of contention, the pride of victory, the despair of success, the memory of past injuries and the fear of future dangers all contribute to inflame the mind and to silence the voice of pity. — David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ardor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ardor
  1. enthusiasm
  2. thirst
  3. passion
  4. intensity
  5. lust
  6. emotion
  7. warmth
Noun
  • The staffers of the Truth Teller start the second season pumped with enthusiasm after their winning night at an Ohio journalism awards ceremony.
    — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Organizers are hoping to boost GOP enthusiasm, but the confab is getting a lackluster reception from some in the party.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • More than just thirst quenchers, functional beverages are engineered to deliver a wellness punch with vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, electrolytes, probiotics and enzymes for gut health and adaptogens for mood support.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • What the estate has built in the 15 years since his death is a testament to the thirst for life that the artist had while on this earth.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of thirst
Noun
  • Carly keeps taking her new passion further, apparently spending all her tuition money on shooting a music video and renting a venue for a live performance plus merch and catering.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Parton’s passion projects were wide-ranging, from literacy and graduation rates in her home state to bald eagle conservation to donations for the development of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of passion
Noun
  • Thom’s uncomfortable intensity carries over to Hamburger Hamlet, where the tension between the couple finally reaches a breaking point.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The tool kit suggests states use concurrent review to compare delivered hours against authorized hours and test whether intensity still tracks progress.
    — JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • The gorgeous 16-track set explores grief, passion, hope, lust and reflection across four movements, featuring a bevy of special guests, including Thundercat, Steve Lacy, DRAM, Westside Gunn, Kamasi Washington, Earl Sweatshirt and more.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
  • More midlife women are logging on in search of everything from lasting love to a little lust.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lust
Noun
  • Days filled with screenings, meetings, press conferences, discussion, discoveries, emotion, and, inevitably, a few surprises.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There is a portion of Royals fans who wish manager Matt Quatraro would show more emotion during the season.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • For hundreds of thousands of years, our species has enjoyed the warmth and protection of a good fire before bedtime.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Nor is Gadot a performer inclined to lend much more than athleticism to a role that could use some warmth and idiosyncrasy to color its rather generic action-hero gist.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of warmth

Browse Nearby Words

ardent spirits
ardor
arduous
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Cite this Entry

“Ardor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ardor. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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