unenthusiastic

adjective

un·​en·​thu·​si·​as·​tic ˌən-in-ˌthü-zē-ˈa-stik 

-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 

-en-

 also  -ˌthyü-

adverb

a suggestion that was greeted unenthusiastically

Synonyms

• halfhearted
• lukewarm
• tepid
• uneager

Examples of unenthusiastic in a Sentence

my suggestion that we go to see the new action flick was greeted with an unenthusiastic shrug

Recent Examples on the Web

But such pledges run the dual risk of unenthusiastic lawyers who collude with their opponents or the stifling of the fundamental freedom of lawyers to choose their causes. —The Editors, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025

Hollywood's renowned celebrity Morgan Freeman has come under fire from NASCAR fans for his unenthusiastic engine start command at the Pennzoil 400 last weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025

Recruiters are contending with a population that’s not just unenthusiastic but incapable. —Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025

The reaction by investors in China’s stock markets to the central bank’s move was unenthusiastic. —Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unenthusiastic

• antineoplastic
• myelodysplastic
• paraneoplastic
• aeroelastic
• ecclesiastic
• elastoplastic
• enthusiastic
• iconoclastic
• interscholastic
• megaloblastic
• osteoblastic
• photoelastic