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

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

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Most alarmingly, he’s been terrorizing immigrants with something akin to zeal, painting food cart operators and day care workers as an existential threat to middle America.

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The week started full of optimism and zeal.

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Given the level of opposition to removing those barriers, Hendry says, Reform UK's zeal for shale gas was mistaken.

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The newly graduated 26-year-old and devout Catholic was just three months into a job as a customs official - which he had taken on with his usual zeal, by refusing to be bribed.

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Related Words

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