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 of unenthusiastic

• neutral
• tepid
• halfhearted
• lukewarm

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

In this purple-on-purple preppy look, Lady Di (then a 19-year-old nursery school teacher) seemed sweet—if not a little unenthusiastic about being photographed. —Natalie Arroyo Camacho, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026

Some advocacy groups are unenthusiastic. —Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

The administration of President Donald Trump is unenthusiastic about EVs compared the previous Biden administration. —Bill Koenig, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026

As the choral conductor has enlisted and must be replaced, the unenthusiastic choice is Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Henry Guthrie, who has several marks against him. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026

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