Zeal-Zest | Commonly Confused Words
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Zeal vs. Zest

Zeal

/ziːl/
A strong, enthusiastic feeling for something or someone, often resulting in a willingness to work hard or support passionately.

Examples:

Her zeal for improving education never wavered.A zeal for adventure took him to unexplored regions.They tackled the project with unmatched zeal and energy.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Zest

/zest/
Zest is a feeling of enthusiasm and enjoyment.

Examples:

Her zest for life inspired everyone she met.The soup lacked the zest to be called a gourmet dish.He added lemon zest to enhance the cake’s flavor.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Zeal typically refers to a devotion or eagerness in pursuing a cause, feeling, or activity, usually something more serious.
  • Zest often implies a more casual enjoyment or enthusiasm for an experience, typically linked to things that enliven the senses.
  • Zeal can be related to passion and willingness to work hard for something.
  • Zest is often associated with liveliness or the enjoyment of an activity.
  • Remember, zest is often used in the context of flavors or life's enjoyability while zeal is about fervor and eagerness in pursuit of goals.
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