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 couple alternates between passionate embraces and domestic tension (an ambulance shows up in their driveway, at one point, its whirring red and blue light hinting something sinister has just taken place).
    Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Sanchez, who described herself as a passionate volleyball player in her youth, talked of girls’ losing coveted spots on teams, and in some cases suffering injuries during games because of trans athletes unfairly competing against them.
    Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Thurmond, the fervent segregationist senator from South Carolina, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes — 46 minutes less than Booker.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Even when projects earned mixed reviews from film critics or flew under the radar, Kilmer’s performances still drew commendations and cultivated a fervent fan following.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Carry a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket and additional warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • It’s kept me warm in the cold winter months but has transitioned easily into spring.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Ricky Steamboat From Clash Of The Champions 6 The intense rivalry between Ricky Steamboat and Flair produced some of the most celebrated matches in professional wrestling history.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The process has ignited intense public pushback from Luna to not only leadership, but her one-time allies in the Freedom Caucus.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Louis Vuitton was among the first to recognize how crucial a deep emotional connection is to a brand; the company launched its Travel Book collection in 2013.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand.
    Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The United States, the most vocal and ardent opponent of reform, has formally left the WHO, but its pressure no doubt will be felt.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The project was first fundraised by Critical Role’s ardent fanbase, who shelled out more than $11.3 million on Kickstarter to bring a 10-episode season to life.
    Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • By 2018, the enthusiastic response led to Girl + Hair’s inclusion in the Target Takeoff Program, which helps up-and-coming brands scale their products to the next level.
    Kizzy Cox, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
  • In the auditorium in the Fertitta Hall basement, the biggest star of all is the eternally youthful, irrepressibly enthusiastic Carroll, 73, hired in January as new coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
    Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Khan-Ghany has encouraged her Muslim students to be proud of their religious and cultural upbringings.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The men, many traveling separately, were on a religious pilgrimage to a Hungarian town formerly known as Kerestir.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perfervid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfervid. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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