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 But the current efflorescence can perhaps most be credited to the zeal of online communities whose social dynamics encourage avid, savvy viewership. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 Even worse was the Great Chinese Famine of 1959–61, which was brought on by severe mismanagement amid Mao Zedong’s revolutionary zeal. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 Moura plays his character with a vague zeal toward protecting his family, albeit no one has asked Jason to shoulder anything alone. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The Dodgers are also unifier of the 29 other teams who are joined in their zeal to see the Dodgers lose. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zeal
  1. vigor
  2. passion
  3. enthusiasm
  4. fervor
Noun
  • Cutting back is done in mid-summer when foliage looks ragged and blooming slows to increase plant vigor, control height, and encourage a second flush of blooms.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Kittle, seven weeks since tearing his right Achilles in a wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia, was seen conditioning with vigor and impressive agility on a side field earlier this week.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of vigor
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
  • 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
  • Meanwhile, those in Boulder are eager to see if Sanders can replicate the fervor of the first two years of his tenure, when visitors flooded the picturesque Pearl Street Mall.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That fervor might be enough reason to declare KPop Demon Hunters a contemporary classic and worthy of Criterion status.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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