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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fain

2 of 2

adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fain
Adjective
  • In a role and contract considerate of those things, Chicago was willing to take a swing at his talent.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Even more surprising is that it’s been reported that Netflix is even willing to release box-office numbers for these films.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • There were no pre-production Zoom meetings, but rather the juggle of scheduling international calls and waiting for another part of the world to wake up in order to receive vital feedback.
    Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some experts say the call for a temporary halt to more approvals should not be taken as a rejection of potential foreign investment in the country, but rather as a mechanism to establish clear rules, especially around transparency.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But Argano, who drives Engine 10, isn't quite ready to pack it in.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • One such ruse, revealed by The Athletic in August 2024, involved a team of pickpockets being hired to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender.
    Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • The Carolina Panthers better be glad that Wednesday’s joint practice against the Houston Texans didn’t count in the NFL standings.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Hot sleepers will be glad to know that the smooth sateen weave lyocell shell is more absorbent than regular cotton.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Republican strategist Whit Ayres said the convention can help galvanize low-propensity Trump voters who are less inclined to vote in the midterms than a presidential election.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The price of gas has also hit the RV industry, making consumers less inclined to purchase RVs and travel.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster