fainthearted

[feynt-hahr-tid]

See more synonyms for fainthearted on Thesaurus.com

adjective

lacking courage; cowardly; timorous.

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Origin of fainthearted

First recorded in 1400–50, fainthearted is from the late Middle English word feynt hertyd. See faint, hearted

Related formsfaint·heart·ed·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

indecisive uncertain hesitant nervous insecure shaky ineffectual unstable wobbly soft powerless timid perturbed perplexed fearful scared apprehensive shocked anxious distressed

Examples from the Web for faint-hearted

Contemporary Examples

In the past, faint-hearted politicians behaved in mostly sensible ways because they were afraid to act recklessly.
Will the Republican Moderates Please Stand Up?
David Frum
October 10, 2013
Emergency rooms are full of the faint, the fainting, and the faint-hearted.
Hillary Clinton Faints: What Caused It?
Kent Sepkowitz
December 15, 2012

Historical Examples

I am not faint-hearted,” said Stephen; “but I will not break mine oath to my master.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
I don't believe the police have been culpable; they have only been faint-hearted.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
Major Rogers was faint from the loss of blood, and at the moment was faint-hearted.
Harper's Young People, October 19, 1880
Various
I commend it to the notice of those who are faint-hearted about the future of wheat in Britain.
Another Sheaf
John Galsworthy
"Why yes," she answered, with a faint-hearted assumption of confidence.
The Market-Place
Harold Frederic

Word Origin and History for faint-hearted

adj.

mid-15c., from faint (adj.) + hearted. Related: Faintheartedly; faintheartedness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper