passion

noun

ˈpa-shən How to pronounce passion (audio)
Definition of passionnext
1
as in enthusiasm
depth of feeling your passion for your cause is admirable, but you still can't insult people who disagree with you

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2
as in love
a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone married at the age of 18, they share a passion that has lasted for over half a century

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3
as in crush
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person her passion passed when she got to know him

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4
as in desire
a strong wish for something a passion to become a doctor

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5
as in emotion
a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation people are sometimes slaves to their own passions

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6
as in feeling
passions plural general emotional condition people who are swayed by their passions and not by reason

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7
as in lust
intense sexual desire their relationship began with passion but a deep love quickly grew between them

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8
as in lustfulness
sexual appetite the kind of pent-up passion that comes from having spent the winter in remote isolation

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word passion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection, emotion, feeling, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is it sensible to use affection instead of passion?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of passion?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When would feeling be a good substitute for passion?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

When can sentiment be used instead of passion?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

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 passion The application also includes questions about their passion for the frozen treat. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 These panels provide practical tips on everything from fast, effective video editing to building a brand without quitting your day job – and discovering how creators are turning their passions into careers. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 The circuit was something of a passion project for PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, an avid golfer. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 His son was raised around hockey rinks and locker rooms, sparking an early passion. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passion
  1. enthusiasm
  2. love
  3. crush
  4. desire
  5. emotion
  6. feeling
  7. lust
  8. intensity
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
  • One of the themes is parenthood and a way of conceiving motherhood and parental love as control and ambition that is projected onto one’s children.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And given her lifelong love of the breed, Farlow can understand why the couple may have been powerless to resist.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of love
Noun
  • Clooney also jumped into the photographer’s pit multiple times to pose with the crush of shutterbugs, even grabbing a camera at one point and snapping a group photo.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While the two remained oblivious to each other’s feelings, all their friends suspected the two had a crush on each other.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of crush
Noun
  • Fall summons the urge to nest, and as temperatures drop, so does the desire to leave the house.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Trout, the face of the franchise, has nonetheless been clear and direct about his desire to remain in Anaheim.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of desire
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
  • But such is the strength of feeling, former Love managing director Letty Kavanagh has launched twin lawsuits against Sky for wrongful dismissal and unpaid severance, as revealed by Deadline this month.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
  • And Imax aims to up the ante on that feeling with a fully immersive viewing experience supported by the largest screens along with the company's proprietary projection system and film cameras, Gelfond says.
    — Kamaron McNair Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of feeling
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

pass (into)
passion
passional
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on passion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about passion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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