Synonym Chooser

How is the word perfervid different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of perfervid are ardent, fervent, fervid, impassioned, and passionate. While all these words mean "showing intense feeling," perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

When might ardent be a better fit than perfervid?

The words ardent and perfervid can be used in similar contexts, but ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

In what contexts can fervent take the place of perfervid?

While in some cases nearly identical to perfervid, fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

When can fervid be used instead of perfervid?

The words fervid and perfervid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

When would impassioned be a good substitute for perfervid?

The synonyms impassioned and perfervid are sometimes interchangeable, but impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

When is it sensible to use passionate instead of perfervid?

While the synonyms passionate and perfervid are close in meaning, passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

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 perfervid The scant paintings on view reverse an emphasis on figurative imagery in the 2019 Biennial, tilting toward a lately prevalent revival of abstraction in perfervid styles that have yet to demonstrate staying power. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 This latest controversy won’t dent Thomas’s formidable reputation as a jurist, but it’s another mark against his perfervid critics who have no decency. Rich Lowry, National Review, 1 Apr. 2022 So why, with all this perfervid material at her disposal, did the director, Haifaa Al-Mansour, and her co-screenwriter, Emma Jensen, opt for such cautiousness? Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 May 2018 Down south near San Diego, gray-faced children toil in a slave-labor camp that Dickens could not have imagined in his most perfervid dreams. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 4 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfervid
Adjective
  • The tight retails for $118, and comes in such colors as black, desert red, passionate pink, lavender lux, magenta smoke, washed denim, true navy, espresso, Army green and solar gray.
    Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 11 Feb. 2025
  • An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Alexandra Owens is passionate about writing stories that highlight the power and potential of responsible ecotourism.
    Alexandra Owens, AFAR Media, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Less fervent Protestant denominations demurred, but the Rapture helped fill evangelical churches while creating a mainstream end-of-times industry.
    Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Donald Trump goes low, Elon Musk goes Sieg heil!, and Mark Zuckerberg goes so macho January 25, 2025 Reading Time: 5 minutes The intense run-up to oligarchic rule was reflected in our poll results, as many of the system’s most fervent supporters (that is, oligarchs) continued to strut and crow.
    airmail.news, airmail.news, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s finished with red wood veneer, which adds a rustic and warm feel to the piece.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Grant was polite and warm, albeit confused about having an indoor life and this influx of love and care.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With rain that could be intense enough to cause #mudslides.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The price war, sparked by Tesla two years ago, has become so intense that BYD asked its suppliers late last year to deliver hefty price reductions of 10% for the coming year.
    Hassan Tayir, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • White was noticeably emotional addressing the audience of cast, crew, network executives, and supporters inside the Paramount Theatre.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Despite the physical and emotional toll their work extracts, the women who live at the parlor have fortified an impenetrable sisterhood.
    Michaela Zee, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In their posh Palm Springs home, Polly and Lyman Wyeth (at Cygnet, played by Rosina Reynolds and Alan Rust) are ardent Republicans.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Friends and family remember Stephanie and Roger as extremely devoted parents and ardent supporters of Cory’s budding skating career.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His message was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd that followed him.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Some of the comedian's followers were enthusiastic about his video.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In what President Donald Trump says is a move to protect the rule of law and free speech advocates see as an attack on it, the White House is promising tougher punishments for vandalizing public monuments, statues and religious displays.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • But the Supreme Court justices in recent years have already undone a number of limits on religion in the public square — like affirming a public school football coach’s right to pray on the field with his players, or requiring school voucher eligibility for religious schools.
    Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near perfervid

Cite this Entry

“Perfervid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfervid. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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