zealous

adjective

Definition of zealousnext
as in fervent
feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc.; filled with zeal zealous fans She was one of the president's most zealous supporters. The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.

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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 zealous Dunk, Welly, and Shirm are on the interplanetary run from a zealous-yet-inept officer of the law named Zandro. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 July 2026 Holding it together is Walters’ voice, at once becalmed and zealous. — Alfred Soto, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026 On and off the field, soccer, the world’s most popular sport, ignites zealous passions. — Carlos Aguilar, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026 Meanwhile, Harris welcomed her endorsement by Dick Cheney, who was not a very popular vice president but was a zealous defender of torturing Muslims. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealous
  1. fervent
  2. enthusiastic
  3. ardent
  4. passionate
Adjective
  • Yet many Culers question why Atletico would want to keep a player who doesn’t want to be at the club against his will, and who has now clearly lost the support of the Spanish capital outfit’s fervent fans.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The entire gymnasium roared with claps and cheers, the loudest and most fervent applause of the evening.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fervent
Adjective
  • Bell, however, couldn’t be more enthusiastic for the opportunity.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The other clock hiding inside it The TC001 has attracted an enthusiastic home-automation following because it can be used with AWTRIX, an open-source firmware and ecosystem designed around small LED matrix displays.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • Now, the paragraph on the website describes Alvarado as an ardent supporter of bipartisanship who is focused on affordability.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Mazloum announced the yeti repair — as well as the return of fan-favorite characters Dreamfinder and Figment to Epcot in Florida and an overhaul of Tomorrowland in California — to some of Disney's most ardent fans on Saturday.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ardent
Adjective
  • Over the last six months of development, Carla has certainly proved to be a passionate writer and producer.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Three decades removed, Westwood is still a cinematic ghost town that passionate film lovers are trying to revive.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of passionate

Browse Nearby Words

zealots
zealous
zealously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealous. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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