Passionate hunks kept in check (8)
I believe the answer is:
vehement
'passionate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'hunks kept in check' is the wordplay.
'hunks' becomes 'he-men' (I've seen this in another clue).
'kept in' is an insertion indicator.
'check' becomes 'vet' (I've seen this in other clues).
'hemen' inserted inside 'vet' is 'VEHEMENT'.
(Other definitions for vehement that I've seen before include "Of speech, intense and forceful" , "Ardently forceful" , "Energetic" , "Vet he-men showing strong feeling" , "Showing strong feeling, like even them" .)