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ardent

adjective
ar·​dent | \ ˈär-dᵊnt How to pronounce ardent (audio) \

Definition of ardent

1 : characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity ardent proponents of the bill an ardent admirer ardent fans
2 : fiery, hot an ardent sun
3 : shining, glowing ardent eyes
Other Words from ardent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ardent

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Other Words from ardent

ardently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for ardent

impassioned, passionate, ardent, fervent, fervid, perfervid mean showing intense feeling. impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression. an impassioned plea for justice passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion. a passionate denunciation ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm. an ardent supporter of human rights fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal. fervent good wishes fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion. fervid love letters perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings. perfervid expressions of patriotism

Examples of ardent in a Sentence

These ardent young nationalists, mostly still in their 20s and impatient for freedom, had acquired arms from sympathetic nationalist officers in the Indian army … — Gita Mehta, Vogue, April 1997 In fact, Gorbachev told me, a schoolboy essay he'd written on the virtues of Stalin was considered so ardent and exemplary that "for years thereafter other children were made to read it." — David Remnick, New Yorker, 18 Nov. 1996 During the fourth century, pagan piety in the upper classes became more elevated, more ardent, and more mystical. — Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993 made ardent declarations of love to the woman he someday hoped to marry an ardent science-fiction fan who has read virtually all of his favorite author's many works
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Even some ardent critics of the current admissions system rejected the recommendations, calling instead for the expansion of gifted and talented programs in low-income neighborhoods, or a reassessment of admissions criteria in existing programs. — New York Times, "The Plan to Scrap New York’s Gifted Programs: 5 Takeaways," 27 Aug. 2019 The Muslim women of color are supporters of the BDS movement against Israel and ardent critics of Trump, and the president has frequently attacked the duo. — Seth A. Richardson, cleveland.com, "PA, WI governors make push for gun reforms: The Flyover," 16 Aug. 2019 Kraft, like many other NFL owners, is an ardent supporter of President Trump, who has repeatedly antagonized players seeking social-justice reforms, including and especially Kaepernick. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "What Kind of Activist Does Jay-Z Want to Be?," 15 Aug. 2019 The measures are extremely attractive, even in the assessment of ardent critics. — Monika RÄ™baÅ‚a, The Christian Science Monitor, "Poland and Hungary need people. Do more benefits lead to more births?," 11 July 2019 Politicians of both parties today claim to care about our privacy, and many of them have positioned themselves as ardent critics of the intrusive role of big tech companies in our lives. — Hamdan Azhar, WIRED, "Politicians Don't Trust Facebook—Unless They're Campaigning," 26 June 2019 Casey, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, has opposed Trump's Supreme Court pick, many of his highest-profile nominees and the GOP tax-cutting law while emerging as an ardent Trump critic. — NBC News, "Primaries set up November races in Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Oregon," 16 May 2018 Price has been an ardent critic of the landmark health care legislation, which was enacted in 2010 when Axelrod was serving as a senior adviser to President Barack Obama. — Jennifer Hansler, CNN, "Tom Price: Everyone should have health care coverage," 14 May 2018 This is Cyril, an ardent, good-looking university student, who offers to teach Cécile how to sail. — Rachel Cusk, The New Yorker, "Françoise Sagan, the Great Interrogator of Morality," 21 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ardent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ardent

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ardent

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ardent-, ardens, present participle of ardēre to burn, from ardor

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More Definitions for ardent

ardent

adjective
How to pronounce ardent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ardent

: having or showing very strong feelings

See the full definition for ardent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ardent

adjective
ar·​dent | \ ˈär-dᵊnt How to pronounce ardent (audio) \

Kids Definition of ardent

: showing or having warmth of feeling : passionate She's an ardent supporter of education.

Other Words from ardent

ardently adverb

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