zealous

[ zel-uhs ]

/ ˈzɛl əs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: zealous / zealously / zealousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent.

OTHER WORDS FOR zealous

enthusiastic, eager, fervid, fervent, intense, passionate, warm.

See synonyms for zealous on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR zealous

apathetic; lackadaisical.

See antonyms for zealous on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of zealous

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin zēlōsus; see origin at zeal, -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM zealous

zeal·ous·ly, adverbzeal·ous·ness, nounnon·zeal·ous, adjectivenon·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

non·zeal·ous·ness, nounun·der·zeal·ous, adjectiveun·der·zeal·ous·ly, adverbun·der·zeal·ous·ness, nounun·zeal·ous, adjectiveun·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

Words nearby zealous

Zea, zeal, Zealand, zealot, zealotry, zealous, Zeami, zeatin, zeaxanthin, zebec, Zebedee

How to use zealous in a sentence

Rather, I understood such zealous procedures as necessary security precautions.
An infuriating indictment of Israel|Randy Rosenthal|November 5, 2021|Washington Post
Although zealous in defense of their own rights and freedoms, they are less concerned about the rights and freedoms of those who are not like them.
Our constitutional crisis is already here|Robert Kagan|September 23, 2021|Washington Post
Since no amount of logical arguments, cajoling or bribery will change the minds of zealous conspiracy theorists, Fauci probably won’t convince skeptics that the NIH bigwig is a paragon of public service.
The Heavy Burden of Being Dr. Anthony Fauci|Nick Schager|September 10, 2021|The Daily Beast
To get it right, it’s important not to be over zealous on the number of channels used, within whatever company tools are used to communicate — whether it’s Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Google Docs.
Experimentation, meeting moderators and asynchronous working: What Microsoft has learned from its hybrid-working model|Jessica Davies|August 26, 2021|Digiday

It’s easy to get over-zealous and buy grilling tools that you’ll never use.
Optimal Grilling Accessories and Grilling Tools For The Best Backyard BBQ|Irena Collaku|June 25, 2021|Popular-Science
These labels matter, but so does our over-zealous urge to dole them out and endlessly dwell on them.
Lena Vs. The Feminist Police|Amy Zimmerman|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Americans have a right to fear over-zealous and unwarranted surveillance by the NSA.
Ebola, ISIS, the Border: So Much to Fear, So Little Time!|Gene Robinson|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The extremely zealous President Kevin Baugh has been issuing war bonds to raise funds in case fighting becomes necessary.
So You Want to Rule a Kingdom? A Wacky History of One-Man Nations|Nina Strochlic|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zealous populist patriots might pal around on principle, but banding together effectively is another matter.
Elections Could Be the Beginning of the End for Europe|Tracy McNicoll, Nadette De Visser|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of them were brought up in the faith; some are zealous converts.
Teenage Girls Seduced by the Syrian Jihad?|Christopher Dickey|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was so zealous a partisan of democracy, and of Cromwell, that the authorities frequently placed him in a straight jacket.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Paul Egede died, aged 81; author of an Account of Greenland, and a zealous missionary there.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
He found himself among kinsmen who were zealous Roman Catholics.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Vernon was a zealous Whig, and not personally unacceptable to the chiefs of his party.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
But, though Portland was an unreasonable and querulous friend, he was a most faithful and zealous minister.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for zealous

zealous

/ (ˈzɛləs) /

adjective

filled with or inspired by intense enthusiasm or zeal; ardent; fervent

Derived forms of zealous

zealously, adverbzealousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

zealous

OTHER WORDS FOR zealous

OPPOSITES FOR zealous

Origin of zealous

OTHER WORDS FROM zealous

Words nearby zealous

Words related to zealous

How to use zealous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for zealous

Derived forms of zealous