passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.
was a slave to his passionsfervor implies a warm and steady emotion.
read the poem aloud with great fervorardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.
the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.
never showed much enthusiasm for sports zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.
preaches with fanatical zeal
Examples of fervor in a Sentence
As Nina has grown more observant, Andras has become distanced from her. Her religious fervor doesn't interest him. Coming to tradition late, Nina has all the pedantry of an autodidact. Her strivings seem inauthentic to Andras, and not at all spiritual.— Allegra Goodman, Kaaterskill Falls, 1998Certainly being the son of a pastor had contributed to Vincent's religiosity, but in time even his father was disturbed by the growing intensity of his son's fervor.— Michael Kimmelman, New York Times Book Review, 12 Aug. 1990In her renewed fervor, Norma fears that the past decade has turned women inward, away from one another, and away, too, from the notion that solidarity among women is ultimately a source of personal strength.— Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 6 July 1986Reciting, her voice took on resonance and firmness, it rang with the old fervor, with ferocity even.— Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings, 1983
The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day.
The novel captures the revolutionary fervor of the period.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fervor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.