enthusiasm

noun

in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm How to pronounce enthusiasm (audio)
Definition of enthusiasmnext
1
as in latest
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time this year's enthusiasm is often next year's laughingstock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thirst
urgent desire or interest in my enthusiasm to get going, I forgot to pack any foul-weather clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intensity
depth of feeling spoke about wildlife conservation with evident enthusiasm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun enthusiasm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of enthusiasm are ardor, fervor, passion, and zeal. While all these words mean "intense emotion compelling action," enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

When would ardor be a good substitute for enthusiasm?

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

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

When might fervor be a better fit than enthusiasm?

The synonyms fervor and enthusiasm are sometimes interchangeable, but fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

When could passion be used to replace enthusiasm?

While the synonyms passion and enthusiasm are close in meaning, passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

was a slave to his passions

Where would zeal be a reasonable alternative to enthusiasm?

The words zeal and enthusiasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

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 enthusiasm While Lanterns season two has not been officially green-lit, Mundy and Cantwell are getting their ducks in a row should the audience reception and viewership numbers match the critics’ enthusiasm for the down-to-earth take on Green Lanterns. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 California voters feel most favorably toward progressive political candidates, with less enthusiasm for mainstream Democrats. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 But if last year’s anti-DOGE protests are any indication, Democratic voters’ enthusiasm for Moskowitz is a mixed bag. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Park-goers met the call with enthusiasm, submitting about 17,000 photos since last summer and gratitude to the people organizing the effort. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enthusiasm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enthusiasm
  1. latest
  2. thirst
  3. intensity
  4. craze
  5. excitement
  6. emotion
  7. trend
  8. appetite
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of latest
Noun
  • What the estate has built in the 15 years since his death is a testament to the thirst for life that the artist had while on this earth.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026
  • After marking his 61st birthday with a vintage video from his 3rd birthday back in 1966, Stamos returned to thirst-trapping for his 62nd.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of thirst
Noun
  • Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The intensity of weather events in that span caused significant devastation across the state, and the August storms have only exacerbated the impact on communities and local governments.
    — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Ironically, the Sephora teen craze has helped create a more ingredient-conscious generation of parents.
    — Faye Brookman, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With many customers asking about it, Williams says the craze seems to be spreading.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of craze
Noun
  • Stewart, while offering advice on ownership challenges, expresses pride and excitement for Briscoe, noting their relationship will evolve from idol/driver to friendly competitors.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s also excitement over the growing signs of a connection between Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of excitement
Noun
  • Graphic autopsy photos shown in court Before McDonald brought emotion to the witness stand, the day began with some testimony that appeared excruciating for the Shakur family.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Heavy Metal earned raves for its unruly combination of intimate songwriting, feverish emotion and left-field ambition, and the Carnegie Hall performance put that material in a setting almost comically grand enough to match its scale.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Target hiked its full fiscal-year outlook, due to both stronger sales trends and the one-time boost to its bottom line.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Florida is leading this trend, having filed a significant lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • The current resurgence of tennis necklaces reflects the rise of quiet luxury and a growing appetite for investment purchasing and dressing.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Spurred by tech giants’ insatiable appetite for computing power to dominate frontier models, the unprecedented global expansion of AI infrastructure has created demand so enormous that no single country can satisfy it.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of appetite

Browse Nearby Words

enthuses
enthusiasm
enthusiasms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enthusiasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enthusiasm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All