Definition

1. Noun:
   • Great energy, enthusiasm, or passion for a cause or objective: "zeal" refers to intense and eager interest or fervor in pursuing something.
   • Prompt willingness or readiness: "zeal" can denote a keen readiness to act or engage.
   • Excessive fervor: In some contexts, "zeal" implies an overly intense or fanatical enthusiasm.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She tackled every task with remarkable zeal. (She approached every job with great enthusiasm.)
  • His zeal for social justice inspired many followers. (His passionate commitment to social justice inspired many.)
  • The team's zeal was evident in their tireless preparation. (The team's energetic enthusiasm was clear in their hard work.)

Advanced Usage

• "Zeal for": intense enthusiasm directed towards a specific subject or activity.
  • Her zeal for learning languages is contagious.
• "Missionary zeal": fervent enthusiasm characteristic of someone promoting a cause, often a religious or ideological one.
  • He promoted the new policy with almost missionary zeal.
• "Blind zeal": excessive enthusiasm that lacks critical judgment or awareness.
  • The movement was driven by a dangerous, blind zeal.

Variants and Related Words

• Zealot (n): a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.
  • He was denounced as a dangerous zealot.
• Zealous (adj): having or showing zeal; fervent.
  • She was a zealous advocate for animal rights.
• Zealously (adv): in a zealous manner.
  • The volunteers worked zealously to complete the project.

Synonyms

• Ardor: intense and passionate feeling.
• Fervor: intense and passionate feeling.
• Enthusiasm: intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
• Passion: strong and barely controllable emotion.

Antonyms

• Apathy: lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
• Indifference: lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
• Lethargy: a lack of energy and enthusiasm.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Zeal without knowledge": acting with great enthusiasm but without the necessary understanding or information, often leading to poor outcomes.
  • His reckless changes were a classic case of zeal without knowledge.

Noun

1. prompt willingness
   • readiness to continue discussions
   • they showed no eagerness to spread the gospel
   • they disliked his zeal in demonstrating his superiority
   • he tried to explain his forwardness in battle
2. excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end
   • he had an absolute zeal for litigation
3. a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
   • they were imbued with a revolutionary ardor
   • he felt a kind of religious zeal