zeal

[zeel]

noun

1. fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor.

   Synonyms: passion, intensity
   Antonyms: apathy

zeal

/ ziːl /

noun

1. fervent or enthusiastic devotion, often extreme or fanatical in nature, as to a religious movement, political cause, ideal, or aspiration

Other Word Forms

• zealless adjective
• underzeal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of zeal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English zele, from Late Latin zēlus “jealousy, rivalry,” from Greek zêlos

Word History and Origins

Origin of zeal¹

C14: from Late Latin zēlus, from Greek zēlos

Example Sentences

But the biographer also makes clear that Roth cultivated reticence with the same zeal with which he flaunted candor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

U.S. war planes have bombed small ships in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and Colombia since September with extrajudicial zeal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But for all his zeal in exposing secrets, Hersh has never been comfortable turning the focus on himself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By contrast, her father delighted in his daughter’s zeal for learning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Maybe it's out of habit or maybe because, in their zeal to slash government services and worker rolls, Republicans overplay their hand.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ardor 
• determination 
• devotion 
• diligence 
• eagerness 
• earnestness 
• fanaticism 
• fervor 
• gusto 
• inclination 
• intensity 
• passion 
• perseverance 
• sincerity 
• spirit 
• urgency 
• verve 
• warmth 
• zest