passion
noun
pas·sion ˈpa-shən 
plural passions
1
often capitalized
a
: the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death
b
: an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion
Bach's St. Matthew Passion
2
obsolete : suffering
3
: the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces
moldable and not moldable … and many other passions of matter
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon4
a(1)
: emotion
his ruling passion is greed
(2)
passions plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason
a study of the passions
b
: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
with enough passion to make a great poet W. B. Yeats
W. B. Yeats c
: an outbreak of anger
a crime of passion
5
a
: ardent affection : love
He had never felt such passion for any woman but her.
b
: a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept
a passion for chess
a passion for opera
c
: sexual desire
a look of passion in her face
d
: an object of desire or deep interest
passionless
ˈpa-shən-ləs
adjective 
Synonyms
- affection
- attachment
- devotedness
- devotion
- fondness
- love
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
If anyone had asked me what my passions were, I would have said building fires, climbing cliffs, going on long hikes in the woods … Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001 The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths. James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997 The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures. Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994 Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994 Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work. a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress Her performance is full of passion and originality. She spoke with passion about preserving the building. The crime was committed in a fit of passion. Music has always been his passion. She developed a passion for opera. a student with a passion for literature See More
Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001 The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths. James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997 The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures. Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994 Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994 Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work. a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress Her performance is full of passion and originality. She spoke with passion about preserving the building. The crime was committed in a fit of passion. Music has always been his passion. She developed a passion for opera. a student with a passion for literature See More Recent Examples on the Web The Nabis represent the single biggest enthusiasm of the Keithleys, while also underscoring their passion for color, perhaps the show’s biggest unifying theme. Steven Litt, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Her passion is fueled by a competitive streak as a former college softball player. San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. John Thompson, Men's Health, 9 Sep. 2022 Famously documented playing with her dogs or beaming at the sight of cows, the queen will be missed for her passion for animals, her love of derbies, and her regal calmness amid trying times in modern history. Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Sep. 2022 Dogs and horses remained her passion throughout her life. Rory Satran, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Royal family followers and dog lovers also flocked to social media to remember Queen Elizabeth II and her passion for corgis. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Most crucially, the income allows George to pursue his passion for writing. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 The reason that has become her passion is personal. Sara Sidner, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Steven Litt, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Her passion is fueled by a competitive streak as a former college softball player. San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. John Thompson, Men's Health, 9 Sep. 2022 Famously documented playing with her dogs or beaming at the sight of cows, the queen will be missed for her passion for animals, her love of derbies, and her regal calmness amid trying times in modern history. Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Sep. 2022 Dogs and horses remained her passion throughout her life. Rory Satran, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Royal family followers and dog lovers also flocked to social media to remember Queen Elizabeth II and her passion for corgis. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Most crucially, the income allows George to pursue his passion for writing. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 The reason that has become her passion is personal. Sara Sidner, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin passion-, passio suffering, being acted upon, from Latin pati to suffer — more at patient
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing passion
Kids Definition
passion
noun
pas·sion ˈpa-shən
1
: a strong feeling or emotion
He spoke with passion.
2
: an object of someone's love, liking, or desire
Art is my passion.
3
: strong liking or desire : love
She has a passion for music.
Legal Definition
passion
noun
pas·sion ˈpa-shən
: intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion
especially : any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection see also heat of passion
passion
noun
1
as in love
a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone married at the age of 18, they share a passion that has lasted for over half a century Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- love
- affection
- devotion
- enthusiasm
- fondness
- respect
- desire
- longing
- zeal
- appreciation
- attachment
- devotedness
- fervor
- infatuation
- adoration
- loyalty
- yearning
- eagerness
- liking
- lust
- craving
- taste
- like
- ardor
- relish
- appetite
- preference
- crush
- fidelity
- allegiance
- partiality
- worship
- regard
- esteem
- faithfulness
- idolatry
- adulation
- fancy
- steadfastness
- estimation
- idolization
- favor
- deification
- fealty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hatred
- hate
- hostility
- loathing
- animosity
- rancor
- enmity
- antagonism
- dislike
- antipathy
- aversion
- abomination
- allergy
- disgust
- revulsion
- repugnance
- repulsion
- abhorrence
- disfavor
- misanthropy
2
as in crush
a strong but often short-lived liking for another person her passion passed when she got to know him Synonyms & Similar Words
- crush
- infatuation
- obsession
- mash
- fixation
- love
- devotion
- affection
- fondness
- rage
- fad
- craze
- vogue
3
as in desire
a strong wish for something a passion to become a doctor Synonyms & Similar Words
- desire
- longing
- thirst
- craving
- urge
- hunger
- appetite
- yearning
- lust
- zeal
- pining
- hankering
- taste
- compulsion
- love
- jones
- wish
- itch
- drive
- appetency
- thirstiness
- yen
- eagerness
- obsession
- impulse
- liking
- impatience
- impulsion
- requirement
- letch
- need
- will
- greed
- necessity
- weakness
- avarice
- cupidity
- greediness
- acquisitiveness
- rapacity
- avidity
- covetousness
- mania
- want
- avariciousness
- rapaciousness
- cacoëthes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hatred
- disgust
- distaste
- revulsion
- loathing
- dislike
- repugnance
- repulsion
- aversion
- abhorrence
- allergy
- nausea
- indifference
- disinclination
- abomination
- apathy
- disliking
- disfavor
- averseness
- nonchalance
- unconcern
- insouciance
4
as in emotion
a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation people are sometimes slaves to their own passions Synonyms & Similar Words
- emotion
- feeling
- chord
- sense
- sentiment
- attitude
- conviction
- perception
- belief
- impression
- sensation
- opinion
- responsiveness
- sensitivity
- mind
- perspective
- viewpoint
- sensitiveness
- sensibility
- judgment
- standpoint
- angle
- receptivity
- persuasion
- outlook
- judgement
- view
- verdict
- receptiveness
- notion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insensitiveness
- insensitivity
- unfeelingness
5
as in enthusiasm
depth of feeling your passion for your cause is admirable, but you still can't insult people who disagree with you Synonyms & Similar Words
- enthusiasm
- emotion
- intensity
- passionateness
- intenseness
- warmth
- fervor
- zeal
- ardency
- fervency
- violence
- excitement
- tenderness
- ardor
- vehemence
- compassion
- fire
- white heat
- heat
- fervidness
- obsession
- responsiveness
- zest
- eagerness
- sentimentality
- infatuation
- earnestness
- emotionality
- gusto
- sympathy
- emotionalism
- fanaticism
- cathexis
- histrionics
- sentiment
- melodrama
- mawkishness
- mania
- fever
- sappiness
- keenness
- hot-bloodedness
- torridity
- torridness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifference
- reticence
- composure
- insensitivity
- calmness
- impassiveness
- insensibility
- impassivity
- insensitiveness
- dryness
- apathy
- taciturnity
- aloofness
- stoicism
- insensibleness
- reserve
- phlegm
- stoniness
- unconcern
- coolness
- collectedness
- coldness
- reservedness
- stiffness
- detachedness
- frigidity
- chilliness
- woodenness
- frigidness
6
as in feeling
passions plural general emotional condition people who are swayed by their passions and not by reason Synonyms & Similar Words
- feeling
- spirit
- mood
- sensibilities
- humor
- temper
- mode
- cheer
- frame
- heartstrings
7
as in lust
intense sexual desire their relationship began with passion but a deep love quickly grew between them Synonyms & Similar Words
- lust
- lustfulness
- eros
- ardor
- eroticism
- horniness
- concupiscence
- itch
- erotomania
- lasciviousness
- nymphomania
- lewdness
- satyriasis
- licentiousness
- salaciousness
- wantonness
- randiness
- libidinousness
- lickerishness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- frigidity
8
as in lustfulness
sexual appetite the kind of pent-up passion that comes from having spent the winter in remote isolation Synonyms & Similar Words
- desire
- lust
- lustfulness
- eroticism
- concupiscence
- horniness
- hots
- salaciousness
- itch
- lech
- libidinousness
- libido
- lustihood
- letch
- heat
- ardor
- rut
- erotomania
- hypersexuality
- nymphomania
- lechery
- satyriasis
- lecherousness
- venery
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- chastity
- abstinence
- celibacy
- frigidity
- frigidness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of passion are affection, emotion, feeling, and sentiment. While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion.
revenge became his ruling passion
The synonyms affection and passion are sometimes interchangeable, but affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings.
a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family
Emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.
the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence
The meanings of feeling and passion largely overlap; however, feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it.
the feelings that once moved me are gone
The words sentiment and passion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea.
her feminist sentiments are well known
- colonel
- Colonel Blimp
- colonel blimpism
- colonel general
- colonel generals
- colonel-in-chief
- colonel-in-chiefs
- colonelcies
- colonelcy
- colonels
- colonels general
- colonels-in-chief
- colonelships
- colones
- colongitude
- coloni
- colonia
- colonial
- colonial bent
- colonial blue
- colonial bouquet
- colonial buff
- colonial dollar
- colonial furniture
- colonial goose