enthusiasm

noun

in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm How to pronounce enthusiasm (audio)
Definition of enthusiasmnext
1
as in latest
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thirst
urgent desire or interest in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intensity
depth of feeling spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun enthusiasm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enthusiasm are ardor, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When would ardor be a good substitute for enthusiasm?

While in some cases nearly identical to enthusiasm, ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might fervor be a better fit than enthusiasm?

The synonyms fervor and enthusiasm are sometimes interchangeable, but fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could passion be used to replace enthusiasm?

While the synonyms passion and enthusiasm are close in meaning, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

Where would zeal be a reasonable alternative to enthusiasm?

The words zeal and enthusiasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 enthusiasm Someone may be ready to move before the details deserve that level of enthusiasm. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026 The question was whether all of those people would actually show up to the theater and take that online enthusiasm to the box office. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026 The first-year teacher from a small town in Indiana has built a wardrobe filled with playful pieces that reflect both her love of fashion and her enthusiasm for teaching. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Yet there is a disconnect between enthusiasm for AI and confidence in how companies are managing the transition. — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enthusiasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthusiasm
  1. latest
  2. thirst
  3. intensity
  4. craze
  5. excitement
  6. emotion
  7. trend
  8. appetite
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of latest
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
  • 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
  • As the extreme budgeting craze takes over social media, the trend has now also made its way to the grocery store.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Kevin Carter | Getty Images GoPro is joining the artificial intelligence craze.
    — CJ Haddad, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of craze
Noun
  • The 100-meter sprint in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval brought together the world’s fastest runners, hurtling along at breakneck speed to shrieks of excitement from a captivated crowd.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But as the excitement for launch built, and the days until Roman's launch dwindled, excitement over the possibility of a solar transit spread among the photojournalists at KSC.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excitement
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
  • Here are a few more tips from our experts on raising a self-sufficient child in the face of the snowplow parenting trend.
    — Cheryl Maguire, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Also in Shanghai, and increasingly elsewhere, brands continue to favor the slow pop-up model over a long-term real estate commitment due to not only the uncertain outlook, but the incredibly fast churn of market trends.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • Long-standing problems and new barriers are combining to make a career in dietetics less appealing and less financially feasible, just as the nation is increasing its appetite for nutrition in health care.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Customers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia have also expressed an appetite for the brand.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

enthuses
enthusiasm
enthusiasms
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Cite this Entry

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

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