PASSION Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'passion' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection , emotion , feeling , and sentiment . While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion. // revenge became his ruling passion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'affection' instead of 'passion'?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings. // a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

Q: How are the words 'emotion' and 'feeling' related as synonyms of 'passion'?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling , encompasses both positive and negative responses. // the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

Q: When would 'feeling' be a good substitute for 'passion'?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it. // the feelings that once moved me are gone

Q: When can 'sentiment' be used instead of 'passion'?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea. // her feminist sentiments are well known

passion

noun

ˈpa-shən

Definition of passion

as in enthusiasm

depth of feeling your passion for your cause is admirable, but you still can't insult people who disagree with you

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as in love

a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone married at the age of 18, they share a passion that has lasted for over half a century

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crush

a strong but often short-lived liking for another person her passion passed when she got to know him

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as in desire

a strong wish for something a passion to become a doctor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in emotion

a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation people are sometimes slaves to their own passions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in feeling

passions plural general emotional condition people who are swayed by their passions and not by reason

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as in lust

intense sexual desire their relationship began with passion but a deep love quickly grew between them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frigidity

as in lustfulness

sexual appetite the kind of pent-up passion that comes from having spent the winter in remote isolation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word passion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of passion are affection, emotion, feeling, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.

revenge became his ruling passion

When is it sensible to use affection instead of passion?

The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.

a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family

How are the words emotion and feeling related as synonyms of passion?

Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.

the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence

When would feeling be a good substitute for passion?

The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.

the feelings that once moved me are gone

When can sentiment be used instead of passion?

The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.

her feminist sentiments are well known

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of passion But that won’t keep them from trying, and when people’s passions are aroused, and emotions crowd out reasoned thought, anything can happen. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 We are thrilled to honor Nick, Vaughan and Blair — extraordinary leaders whose dedication, generosity and passion for mentorship truly embody the heart of our mission. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Writing workshops reignited my passion for learning and deepened my commitment to healing. — Paula Grieve, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Instead of adding generic decor that clutters the room without adding character or reflecting your passions and interests, Meyer’s advice is to personalize the space and tell your story. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for passion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for passion

Noun

Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The people around you may reveal where your enthusiasm belongs next.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
Despite Democratic enthusiasm this year, Donnini cautioned that polling numbers do not automatically translate into election victories.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiasm

Noun

The film follows André and Howery as two best friends who embark on a road trip to New York City so that André’s character can profess his love to his high school crush.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Fans who came of age in the ’90s would get to watch their childhood crush learn a proper quickstep with one of the show’s most beloved pros.

— Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of crush

Noun

In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
This offbeat tendency doesn’t preclude a desire to make a big splash, of course.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of desire

Noun

These are songs that iterate and elevate minor party fouls into dramas of symphonic proportion, arrangements that articulate the heightened emotions churning inside anxious minds.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Thomas is anxious, but with death looming, Vision finally nails the conversation he’s been practicing by investing it with real emotion, conviction, and support.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of emotion

Noun

Smiling can affect brain chemicals that are associated with positive feelings including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Embedded in the production of the show is the feeling of being trapped in a hall of mirrors; scenes are edited flagrantly, drowning the viewer in red herrings.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of feeling

Noun

Groff’s writing is always transcendent, and her prose is especially on display in Matrix’s passages of holy visions, bodily lust, and political power.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
The gorgeous 16-track set explores grief, passion, hope, lust and reflection across four movements, featuring a bevy of special guests, including Thundercat, Steve Lacy, DRAM, Westside Gunn, Kamasi Washington, Earl Sweatshirt and more.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lust

Noun

Murban crude, produced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has a carbon intensity less than half the global industry average.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
My entire goal was to stay as relaxed as possible and let the contractions keep doing the work—an extremely challenging task as the intensity continued to build.

— Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensity

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pass (into)

passion

passional

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Style

“Passion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passion. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of passion

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Synonyms of passion

noun

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Articles Related to passion

What kind of lover are you?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on passion

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Word of the Day

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How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

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How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes