Synonyms for zeal
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Ardor — the fervour or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal and determination in its furtherance; diligent…
ardor US, ardour UK, eagerness, fervor US, fervour UK, enthusiasm, passion, devotion, earnestness, intensity, vehemence, spirit, verve, energy, heat, soul, heartiness, warmth, fervency, ardency, glow
3. Readiness
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
The fervour or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal and determination in its furtherance; diligent enthusiasm; powerful interest.
She extols the virtues of veganism with missionary zeal.
- n. 2
A group of zebras.
- n. 3
A light zomp.
Forms
- Plural
- zeals → ardors, eagernesses, fervors, enthusiasms…
Choose the right word
Zeal is burning earnestness, always tending to vigorous action with all the devotion of enthusiasm, tho often without its hopefulness.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- passion We defy our foes, for our passion makes us strong!
- enthusiasm He destroyed all of my enthusiasm to learn Berber.
- devotion The senator avowed his devotion to his constituents.
- eagerness Pierre ate and drank a lot, with his usual eagerness.
- elan "Avy jorrāelan" means "I love you" in High Valyrian.
- zealot James was a right-wing zealot.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| zeal | steady | |
| passion | rising | |
| enthusiasm | steady | |
| devotion | steady | |
| eagerness | rising | |
| elan | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- heat1, soul1, glow1, herd1, elan2
- 5 letters
- verve1, ardor2
- 6 letters
- energy3, spirit2, warmth1, fervor2, dazzle2, zealot2, ardour
- 7 letters
- passion2, fervour, ardency
- 8 letters
- devotion3, zealotry3, fervency
- 9 letters
- intensity4, readiness3, eagerness3, vehemence3
- 10 letters
- enthusiasm5, heartiness, intentness
- 11 letters
- earnestness3, forwardness, devotedness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (elan2 = 2 syllables).