fainthearted

adjective

faint·​heart·​ed ˈfānt-ˈhär-təd How to pronounce fainthearted (audio)
: lacking courage or resolution : timid
faintheartedly adverb
faintheartedness noun

Examples of fainthearted in a Sentence

She gave him a fainthearted response. the sport of river rafting is not for those who are fainthearted
Recent Examples on the Web This film is not for the fainthearted or weak-stomached. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 June 2021 Even the most fainthearted and tremulous of our fellow citizens—our CEOs—could stick up for free speech without being called Nazi sympathizers. WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021 Moreover, restricting the initiative to projects in developed markets is a fainthearted stipulation that will hopefully be swiftly abandoned. Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019 Ballet Theater itself is suddenly looking fainthearted and uncoordinated as a theatrical troupe. Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 15 June 2018 Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a fainthearted young woman with a troubled past whose first job is a secretarial position under an overbearing lawyer, Edward (James Spader). Sara Aridi, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fainthearted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fainthearted was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fainthearted

Cite this Entry

“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fainthearted. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fainthearted

adjective
faint·​heart·​ed ˈfānt-ˈhärt-əd How to pronounce fainthearted (audio)
: timid
faintheartedly adverb
faintheartedness noun

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