half-hearted

adjective

half-heart·​ed ˈhaf-ˈhär-təd 

ˈhäf-

variants or halfhearted

: lacking heart, spirit, or interest

a half-hearted effort

halfhearted applause

half-heartedly adverb

or halfheartedly

half-heartedness noun

or halfheartedness

Synonyms

• tepid
• neutral
• unenthusiastic
• lukewarm

Examples of half-hearted in a Sentence

a halfhearted attempt to clean the house before the arrival of the in-laws

Recent Examples on the Web

The six-episode season, which was provided to critics in its entirety, is a disjointed and muddled attempt to turn Rice’s centuries-old secret society into a vehicle for a half-hearted spy thriller. —Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025

Its expansions to the story feel similarly half-hearted. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025

There is no room for small talk and half-hearted pursuits — Mars in Scorpio completely immerses itself in a situation or is simply not interested. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

Chilling Chambers is little more than half-hearted fan service that name-checks every maze in Scary Farm history on a crypt or gravestone. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for half-hearted

• departed
• halfhearted
• imparted
• kindhearted
• lighthearted
• restarted
• uncharted
• warmhearted
• wholehearted
• brokenhearted
• carted
• charted

Kids Definition

halfhearted

adjective

half·​heart·​ed -ˈhärt-əd 

: lacking spirit or interest

halfhearted applause from the audience

halfheartedly adverb

halfheartedness noun