fain 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān How to pronounce fain (audio)
Definition of fainnext
as in willing
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) during the Renaissance most men of science and the arts were fain to express their noblest thoughts in Latin, the lingua franca of the learned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fain

2 of 2

adverb

as in rather
by choice or preference "I would fain not marry that suitor, my lord," the princess pleaded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fain
  1. willing
  2. rather
  3. ready
  4. willingly
  5. glad
  6. inclined
Adjective
  • Prosecutor Danielle Clarke told Judge Linda Black that the alleged victim, who cannot be identified, was willing to testify again at a retrial.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Iran and the United States are doubling down on competing claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, but the reality is more nuanced than either side is willing to admit.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of willing
Adverb
  • The perfect site in the crystal A crystal may only look like a piece of glass, but building the right one with a perfect site is rather difficult.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But over the last couple of seasons, Premier League goalkeepers have been… actually rather good.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • The prosecution's argument is that while different life events triggered the memories to surface, the teen simply was not ready to discuss them in detail initially.
    — John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But that doesn’t mean the Sussexes are ready to fully give up on their American dream (despite a Wall Street Journal headline that suggests that this is a branding move to save the couple’s ailing business ventures).
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ready
Adverb
  • If Gluck has willingly conceded to the anti-erotic proclivities of his intended audience, Araki has, naturally, set out to defy them.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Early healthcare software was willingly adopted for its usefulness, unlike Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which required government mandates and billions in incentives for widespread implementation.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adjective
  • Senior setter Malley Green, who opened her junior year with injury troubles of her own, is glad to see Mitchell back.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The previous owner was moving toward retirement and was glad to focus on other aspects of his business.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of glad
Adjective
  • Some kinds of trees, such as honey locusts, hackberries, lindens and maples, are naturally more inclined to produce suckers.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats who view the term negatively are less inclined to see their party as effective or strong.
    — Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclined
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.

Browse Nearby Words

failures
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Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fain

Nglish: Translation of fain for Spanish Speakers

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