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
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
Republicans said the fines should be clearer to avoid half-hearted enforcement.
—
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Conversely, muted or dismissive responses, such as indifference or half-hearted acknowledgment, were linked to lower satisfaction and higher risk of relationship erosion.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Somebody that’s completely tied up and make a ugly, little, half-hearted swing is like swinging in a phone booth.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
While en route to one of their two destinations, Sean Lockwood’s acting insecurities get the better of him, and Josephine makes a half-hearted attempt to compliment their scene work that day.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for half-hearted
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Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Conversely, muted or dismissive responses, such as indifference or half-hearted acknowledgment, were linked to lower satisfaction and higher risk of relationship erosion.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Somebody that’s completely tied up and make a ugly, little, half-hearted swing is like swinging in a phone booth.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
While en route to one of their two destinations, Sean Lockwood’s acting insecurities get the better of him, and Josephine makes a half-hearted attempt to compliment their scene work that day.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for half-hearted
Cite this Entry
“Half-hearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-hearted. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
halfhearted
adjective
half·heart·ed
-ˈhärt-əd
: lacking spirit or interest
halfhearted applause from the audience
halfheartedly
adverb
halfheartedness
noun
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