zeal
/zi:l/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- 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
- excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end
- he had an absolute zeal for litigation
- 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