antithesis of zeal

Synonyms of zeal

• as in vigor
• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of zeal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• get - up - and - go
• spiritedness
• sprightliness
• animal spirits
• vivaciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• disinterestedness
• lukewarmness
• halfheartedness
• perfunctoriness
• sluggishness
• listlessness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun zeal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of zeal are ardor , enthusiasm , fervor , and passion . While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

When is ardor a more appropriate choice than zeal ?

While in some cases nearly identical to zeal , ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

Where would enthusiasm be a reasonable alternative to zeal ?

The words enthusiasm and zeal can be used in similar contexts, but enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

When could fervor be used to replace zeal ?

While the synonyms fervor and zeal are close in meaning, fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

When can passion be used instead of zeal ?

The synonyms passion and zeal are sometimes interchangeable, but passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

Examples of zeal in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zeal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Articles Related to zeal

Pluck, Pep, & Gumption: Words for...

Pluck, Pep, & Gumption: Words for Energy and Enthusiasm

A read that is guaranteed to increase your vim, vigor, and moxie

Thesaurus Entries Near zeal

Cite this entry.

“Zeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zeal. Accessed 15 Aug. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on zeal

Nglish: Translation of zeal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of zeal for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.