halfhearted

[haf-hahr-tid, hahf-]

adjective

1. having or showing little enthusiasm.

   a halfhearted attempt to work.

   Synonyms: perfunctory, cool, cold, uninterested, indifferent
   Antonyms: enthusiastic

Other Word Forms

• halfheartedly adverb
• halfheartedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of halfhearted¹

First recorded in 1605–15; half + heart + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Ron’s participation is a bit halfhearted, though, since his daughter has recently fled her abusive and vengeful husband.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Let your relative choose the latest halfhearted Hallmark movie clone?

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But the filmmakers only halfheartedly commit to exploring these emotions, reducing her feelings to a plot twist inserted to supply a bit of conflict.

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A few brief, halfhearted laughs gave way to stale air, where the jest hung heavily as the group took mental stock of my presence.

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The governor’s press office posted a notice suggesting that Musk’s departures from California were only halfhearted.

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Related Words

• lackluster 
• listless 
• lukewarm 
• perfunctory 
• tepid