fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt How to pronounce fervent (audio)
Synonyms of fervent
1
: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealous
fervent prayers
a fervent admirer/supporter/proponent
… they've built one of the most fervent fan bases in electronic music …—Niyaz Pirani
2
: very hot : glowing
the fervent sun
fervently adverb

Synonyms of fervent

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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 fervent in a Sentence

a 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.
As the night ended with some of the acts’ most fervent fans, the 2026 installment of Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians came to a close. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026 Strijd’s posts struck a chord online, and ignited interest in the show that did not appear nearly as fervent over the past few weeks. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 The church unleashes a campaign—online and onsite—demanding the family’s religious freedom, and the most fervent outcry and mobilization come from the political far right. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 The choice of Eleventh Dream Day and Naked Raygun for the first two albums reflects Jacobs’ near-lifetime association with the bands and his fervent enthusiasm for their music. — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fervent

Word History

Etymology

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 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of fervent was in the 14th century

Rhymes for fervent

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Fervent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fervent. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fervent

adjective
fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt How to pronounce fervent (audio)
: having or expressing great warmth or depth of feeling
a fervent hope
fervency
-vən-sē
noun
fervently adverb
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