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passionate

adjective
pas·​sion·​ate | \ ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce passionate (audio) \

Definition of passionate

1a : easily aroused to anger a passionate but not a vicious boy— H. E. Scudder
b : filled with anger : angry was passionate in her defense of her cub, and rage transformed her— G. D. Brown
2a : capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling a passionate performance a passionate coach
b : enthusiastic, ardent is passionate about basketball
3 : swayed by or affected with sexual desire a passionate love affair
Other Words from passionate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about passionate

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Other Words from passionate

passionately adverb
passionateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for passionate

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 passionate in a Sentence

He gave a passionate speech on tax reform. She has a passionate interest in animal rights. She is passionate about art. We were moved by his passionate plea for forgiveness.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Bok, 30, is a thoughtful and passionate housing advocate who helped lead the campaign for Boston’s Community Preservation Act, approved by voters in 2016, which raises funds for affordable housing, open space, and historic preservation. — Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "The City Council looks like the New Boston," 31 Aug. 2019 How authentic and passionate do someone’s fans seem? — Amy Kaufman, chicagotribune.com, "How do you make money off social media? Just ask ‘Jawline’s’ star," 29 Aug. 2019 Flora, brought up to believe that climate change is a pressing problem, has become passionate about sustainable development. — Madeleine Schwartz, The New Yorker, "Nell Zink’s Satire Raises the Stakes," 26 Aug. 2019 But the Timbers Army, who are known as one of the most raucous and passionate supporters’ groups in MLS, and traveling supporters for the Sounders took their protest to a new level with their silence at Friday’s rivalry game. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive.com, "Timbers Army stages protest at Timbers-Sounders game in response to MLS ban on ‘Iron Front’ symbol, political displays," 23 Aug. 2019 Tester is adorable, charismatic, and passionate about sharing his voice with the world. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Hulu’s Jawline Tells the Story of Austyn Tester, Would-Be Social Media Star," 23 Aug. 2019 Our regional cuisines and cooks are creative and passionate. — Washington Post, "Peruvian cuisine: the beloved star at Lima’s Pan Am Games," 16 Aug. 2019 The spring debate over Colorado’s red-flag law was passionate in a state that has seen the horrors of mass shootings but also has a Western libertarian streak, making it friendly to gun rights. — Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, "Trump backs red-flag laws as gun advocates fight to overturn Colorado’s," 5 Aug. 2019 Skillet's sales and streaming success have never been frontloaded around the band's releases; all those accreditations were accomplished across multiple years, through positive and passionate word of mouth. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's Skillet has quietly become one of the most successful rock bands in the world," 30 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passionate.' 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 passionate

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for passionate

passionate

adjective
How to pronounce passionate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of passionate

: having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs
: expressing or relating to strong sexual or romantic feelings

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

passionate

adjective
pas·​sion·​ate | \ ˈpa-shə-nət How to pronounce passionate (audio) \

Kids Definition of passionate

1 : showing or affected by strong feeling a passionate performance “Not like cats!” cried the Mouse in a shrill, passionate voice. “Would YOU like cats if you were me?”— Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
2 : easily caused to feel strong emotions a passionate person

Other Words from passionate

passionately adverb

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