2
: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealousChoose the Right Synonym for fervent
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.
fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.
perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.
perfervid expressions of patriotism
Examples of fervent in a Sentencea fervent speech that called for tolerance and compassion for those who are different in the thick, fervent air of a tropical afternoon, a languor set in
Recent Examples on the Web 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. On Capitol Hill, even some of Trump's most fervent supporters have rebuked Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for their removal of those positions. —Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025 This is one of the situations where even the most fervent ‘anti-muted celebration’ crowd could forgive a player for toning things down a bit. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Inthe days after Donald Trump sealed his return to the presidency last November, Wall Street celebrated the prospect of lower taxes, looser regulation and less fervent antitrust enforcement—all setting the stage for a quick resurgence of merger and acquisition deals. —Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Over the past few weeks, the diplomatic row over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt has intensified this anxiety, turning this chatter into fervent debate. —Sarah El Sirgany, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fervent Word HistoryEtymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin fervent-, fervens, present participle of fervēre to boil, froth — more at barm
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fervent was in the 14th century Cite this Entry“Fervent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fervent. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 3 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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