zealous

[ zel-uhs ]

See synonyms for: zealous zealously zealousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

Origin of zealous

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

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

Other words from zealous

zeal·ous·ly, adverb
zeal·ous·ness, noun
non·zeal·ous, adjective
non·zeal·ous·ly, adverb
non·zeal·ous·ness, noun
un·der·zeal·ous, adjective
un·der·zeal·ous·ly, adverb
un·der·zeal·ous·ness, noun
un·zeal·ous, adjective
un·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use zealous in a sentence

Their biggest challenge soon became privacy, or finding enough time and space away from other hikers to be like any other zealous young couple.
What It’s Like to Fall in Love on a Long Hike | Grayson Haver Currin | February 13, 2021 | Outside Online
By the 20th century, formula use had skyrocketed, driven in large part by zealous advertising to doctors and consumers.
Startups are racing to reproduce breast milk in the lab | Katie McLean | December 18, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
“GNRD has zealously fought to eliminate abuse of Nepalese migrant workers in Qatar,” the organization said in a statement.
World Cup Watchdogs Go Missing in Qatar | Nina Strochlic | September 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The magazine paid an estimated $150,000 and zealously protected its copyright.
Death of JFK Spawned an Industry That Thrived for Decades | Richard Woodward | November 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is difficult just to maintain in a world dedicated almost too zealously to the principle of creative destruction.
Yahoo Aims to Achieve Turnaround Dream With Hire of Marissa Mayer | Zachary Karabell | July 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

Diskin did not just mean that Netanyahu was acting zealously or with an arguably exaggerated sense of mission.
Tel Aviv Rising | Bernard Avishai | April 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even if the lawyer thinks his client is guilty, he must defend him zealously.
Don't Blame the D.A. | Raymond Bonner | August 26, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
One is that the English should have gone so far out of their way as to besiege Dunaverty so zealously, or at all.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
As a military man he knew well how zealously the secrets of all fortresses are guarded.
The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
The clergy of every order were zealously sought out, and thrust into dungeons designed for the worst of felons.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
About the middle of September Stassov sent him the rough sketch which he began to study zealously.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
He became a physician, but at the same time devoted himself zealously to the practice of his Christian duties.
Mary, Help of Christians | Various

British Dictionary definitions for zealous

zealous

/ (ˈzɛləs) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of zealous

zealously, adverb
zealousness, 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

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