Passion vs. Zeal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Passion is a strong, deep feeling of enthusiasm or love, often driving personal interests or goals. Zeal is intense eagerness or fervor, typically in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
Key Differences
Passion embodies a profound, often emotional engagement with ideas, activities, or people. It is a driving force that motivates individuals to pursue their interests with deep commitment. Zeal, on the other hand, is characterized by great energy and enthusiasm, especially in support of a cause or an ideal. While passion often has a personal, emotional element, zeal is more about the intensity of pursuit.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
In passion, there is an element of deep-seated desire and longing that propels a person to engage intensely with something they love or believe in. This could be a hobby, a field of study, or a relationship. Zeal, however, manifests as an ardent and active support or advocacy, often for a cause or a belief. It’s a fervent devotion that’s outwardly focused and action-oriented.
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Nov 30, 2023
Passion often develops over time, growing as one delves deeper into an interest or bond. It’s a sustained emotion that can define a person’s life choices and career path. Zeal, conversely, can be more immediate and intense, sometimes resembling fervor or fanaticism. It is often associated with a strong urge to act or advocate for something.
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Nov 30, 2023
The nature of passion can be both constructive and destructive, depending on its focus and intensity. It’s a double-edged sword that can lead to great achievements or personal turmoil. Zeal, while similar in its intensity, is typically directed outward and is more about the fervency of one's actions towards a cause or goal, rather than the internal emotional experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
Finally, while passion and zeal can coexist, they are distinct in their expression. Passion is more about deep personal engagement and emotional connection, whereas zeal is about fervent, active involvement or advocacy, often in a social or political context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Personal interests, love, or goals
A cause, objective, or advocacy
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Expression
Can be internal and reflective
Typically outward and action-oriented
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Potential Outcome
Personal fulfillment or turmoil
Social or political change
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Passion and Zeal Definitions
Passion
Passion is a compelling enthusiasm or desire for something.
Her passion for music is evident in every performance.
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Zeal
Zeal is a fervent or eager approach towards a cause.
His zeal in volunteering showed his commitment to the community.
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Zeal
Zeal is the energetic and passionate advocacy for a belief or cause.
Her zeal in campaigning for environmental reforms was commendable.
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Passion
A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Zeal
Zeal is the fervor or tireless devotion for a cause or objective.
His zeal for improving literacy rates was inspiring.
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Nov 30, 2023
Passion
A state of strong sexual desire or love
"His desire flared into a passion he could no longer check" (Barbara Taylor Bradford).
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Oct 19, 2023
Zeal
Zeal is enthusiastic and diligent pursuit of an objective.
Her zeal for social justice brought about significant changes.
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Passion
Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zeal
The fervour or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal and determination in its furtherance; diligent enthusiasm; powerful interest.
She extols the virtues of veganism with missionary zeal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
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Zeal
Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
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Zeal
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zeal
Excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end;
He had an absolute zeal for litigation
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Zeal
Zeal is an intense ardor or enthusiasm for a cause or activity.
She approached her research with a zeal unmatched by her peers.
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Passion
An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.
It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.
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Passion
Sexual intercourse, especially when very emotional.
We shared a night of passion.
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Passion
A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
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Passion
(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
A cardiac passion
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Passion
(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition
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Passion
(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
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Passion
(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.
[...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
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Passion
A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs.
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Passion
The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; - opposed to action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other passions of matter.
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Passion
The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill.
We also are men of like passions with you.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently understood, without considering the affections and passions, or those modifications or actions of the mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain objects or events in which the mind generally conceives good or evil.
The term passion, and its adverb passionately, often express a very strong predilection for any pursuit, or object of taste - a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.
The bravery of his grief did put meInto a towering passion.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Who walked in every path of human life,Felt every passion.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country.
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
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Passion
Something that is desired intensely;
His rage for fame destroyed him
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Passion
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
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Oct 19, 2023
Passion
Passion is a powerful emotion for something or someone.
His passion for painting turned his hobby into a career.
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Nov 30, 2023
Passion
Passion is an intense, driving feeling of love or interest.
He spoke about his passion for teaching with great fervor.
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Nov 30, 2023
Passion
Passion is a strong inclination towards a particular activity or concept.
Her passion for environmental conservation inspired many.
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Nov 30, 2023
Passion
Passion is the emotional fuel that drives personal pursuits.
His passion for innovation led to groundbreaking inventions.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is passion?
Passion is a deep emotional attachment to a person, activity, or concept.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can passion be learned?
Passion often develops naturally from personal interests and experiences.
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Nov 30, 2023
How does passion manifest in a person?
Passion manifests as a profound, long-lasting interest or love towards something.
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Nov 30, 2023
What characterizes zeal?
Zeal is characterized by fervent energy and enthusiasm, particularly for a cause.
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Nov 30, 2023
How does passion affect one’s life?
Passion can drive life choices, careers, and personal fulfillment.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can passion change over time?
Yes, passions can evolve or shift as people grow and experience new things.
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What is zeal?
Zeal is enthusiastic and vigorous pursuit, often of a cause or objective.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is zeal always positive?
While zeal is positive in its enthusiasm, it can become excessive or blind.
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What motivates zeal?
Zeal is motivated by a strong belief in or dedication to a cause.
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Can zeal be harmful?
Excessive zeal, without balance, can lead to fanaticism or burnout.
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Is zeal temporary or lasting?
Zeal can be both, depending on the cause and personal commitment.
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How does passion influence relationships?
Passion can deepen connections but also cause conflict if not shared.
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How to balance zeal with practicality?
Balancing zeal with practicality involves self-awareness and moderation.
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What’s the impact of passion on personal growth?
Passion drives personal growth by encouraging exploration and learning.
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What distinguishes passion from obsession?
Passion is healthy and balanced, whereas obsession is excessive and controlling.
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Can zeal be instilled in others?
Zeal can be contagious but ultimately depends on individual alignment with the cause.
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What’s the role of passion in creativity?
Passion often fuels creativity and innovation.
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How does zeal affect teamwork?
Zeal can inspire teams, but needs to be tempered to avoid overpowering others.
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How do passion and zeal differ in terms of goals?
Passion is often more personal and emotionally driven, while zeal is focused on external causes or objectives.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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