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
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
Adjective
-
Charles may be willing to reopen family conversations, while William remains focused on protecting the institution and the people closest to him.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026 -
In the immediate future, Lendeborg is already a high-quality rebounder and a willing defender who was twice the American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year at Alabama-Birmingham.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Adverb
-
The menu at Ardys’ food truck is rather sparse compared to its restaurant in Philippine Cultural Center, but the truck could arguably sell just one item and still do just fine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
In bacteria, transcription factors are rather like keys that fit the locks of unique binding sites on DNA.—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Previously, Alix Earle, Jake Shane, Anastasia Karanikolaou and Stella Jones shared their own updates at sea with Alo, from fitness sessions with wellness instructors to below-deck getting ready videos.—
Joe Bobowicz,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
Prosecutors said Sit and Liu were packed and ready to flee when officers arrested them in June 2025.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
-
Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Also, glad to know the <3 emoticon lives on with the younger generation!—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
-
Jones hit in the cleanup spot Monday and his teammates, including Julio Gutierrez — who has had the hottest bat in the playoffs for the Mustangs — were certainly glad to see him there.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Americans are not inclined to think that UFOs and ETs are hostile, either.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
-
The Cavs don't appear inclined to flip Mobley for Antetokounmpo, either.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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