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

Relevance

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
  • Premium large format, or PLF, is intended for blockbuster feature films, which moviegoers are willing to pay a higher price to attend.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There are too few house-moving crews left in the state, Jaybush said, and too few contractors willing to figure out how to prepare a house for moving and put it back together again.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of willing
Adverb
  • Protectionism is generally not the cause of trade conflicts, but rather a symptom of imbalances that have endured for too long.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Thus polytheistic worship of deities and monist philosophy are not opposed but rather different ways of reaching the divine.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • The couple was ready to back out, but the contractor promised to repair the damage at no extra cost, and an inspector said that Pinky’s bones were still good.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The equally charming loveseat version, now $240 off in chocolate brown, has a matching midcentury look and is ready to fit into any cozy living room nook.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 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
  • 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
Definition of glad
Adjective
  • If consumers are inclined to believe a company behaved badly, the distinction between firing and non-renewal disappears.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Alice and Gemma really don’t seem to get along, and neither seems inclined to back down from their hostile postures.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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