half-hearted

adjective

half-heart·​ed ˈhaf-ˈhär-təd How to pronounce half-hearted (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anne Hathaway’s Lureen, all rodeo sparkle and small-town ambition, is Jack’s half-hearted refuge; her final scene is a master class in polite denial, her eyes steel behind a frosty Texas drawl. Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025 Practically every desktop or laptop gaming PC runs Windows by default, despite half-hearted efforts by Apple to turn MacOS into a serious gaming platform. ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025 This down-to-earth transit is all about rolling up your sleeves and diving into the nitty gritty, leaving no room for half-hearted efforts and procrastination. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 17 June 2025 Not a half-hearted attempt at relaxation while staying tethered to work. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for half-hearted

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-hearted was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Half-hearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-hearted. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

halfhearted

adjective
half·​heart·​ed -ˈhärt-əd How to pronounce halfhearted (audio)
: lacking spirit or interest
halfhearted applause from the audience
halfheartedly adverb
halfheartedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on half-hearted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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