unenthusiastic

adjective

un·​en·​thu·​si·​as·​tic ˌən-in-ˌthü-zē-ˈa-stik How to pronounce unenthusiastic (audio)
-en-,
 also  -ˌthyü-
: having or showing a lack of excitement or enthusiasm : not enthusiastic
an unenthusiastic response
an unenthusiastic crowd
unenthusiastically
ˌən-in-ˌthü-zē-ˈa-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce unenthusiastic (audio)
-en-
 also  -ˌthyü-
adverb
a suggestion that was greeted unenthusiastically

Examples of unenthusiastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hungary remains an outlier, an EU and NATO member that is clearly unenthusiastic about Ukraine’s cause. Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2023 Like most voters, Beasley and Budd seemed unenthusiastic about a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2022 Analysts believe that several factors, one of them being those unenthusiastic audience reactions, are to blame for the film’s weak initial turnout. Variety, NBC News, 19 June 2023 The Cavs overcame an unenthusiastic start and were ahead 54-47 at the halftime break. Chris Fedor, cleveland, 27 Jan. 2023 After all, Diggs has a well-deserved reputation for shying away from contact on running plays and being an unenthusiastic tackler. Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2022 Defiance makes certain parents nervous, experts said, especially given about a dozen cases where school officials reported on unenthusiastic parents or students. Milana Mazaeva, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023 In the Maryland case, experts say, without Hogan, who was the project’s champion, and with Moore unenthusiastic about the project, Transurban had to make a judgment call that the deal was unlikely to reach completion. Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2023 At a meeting last week, board members seemed unenthusiastic about accepting the funds, opting to delay a decision. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unenthusiastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unenthusiastic was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near unenthusiastic

Cite this Entry

“Unenthusiastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unenthusiastic. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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