Synonyms

halfhearted

American

[haf-hahr-tid, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈhɑr tɪd, ˈhɑf- /

adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of halfhearted

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mostly we’re going around, halfheartedly dusting ledges that don’t need to be dusted.

From Literature

Spilled pencils, overturned books and a crumbled cookie lay strewn about on her bedroom floor, halfhearted attempts to break up the monotony.

From The Wall Street Journal

None of us smile back, though Mom gives a halfhearted shrug of her lips.

From Literature

Her husband’s halfhearted clapping echoed in the otherwise silent room; after a moment he stopped and sat on his hands in shame.

From Literature

“Would anyone like to be quizzed on Latin verbs?” she asked halfheartedly.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023