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
  • But the program is open to one-car owners as well who are willing to go car-free for five weeks.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That trust is earned through a commitment to evidence, authenticity and scholarship and creates environments where visitors are more willing to engage with difficult histories, challenge assumptions and consider new perspectives.
    Ronald Leopold, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • And yet, Simon Farnaby is perhaps most recognizable for mugging his rather expressive and jovial face, usually beneath a crop of untamed curly hair, across a series of scene-stealing comic cameos.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There is no Payroll tax, but rather a complicated system of private accounts (with mandatory employer contributions) for healthcare and retirement savings.
    Nathan Lewis, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Partners who are not yet ready to play a more active role in supplying interceptors can help by implementing new sanctions.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shop my cart below, including breezy cotton and fall-ready velvet picks.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • But long waits to enter the stadium — delays that stemmed from operational failures rather than genuine demand — frustrated the same fans who had willingly queued for tickets weeks earlier.
    Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • Consensual, purposeful data outperforms scraped noise every time—because users who willingly share offer better, more accurate information than those who've been tricked into doing so.
    Mani Padisetti, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • Melody Winston, senior executive of Living Fresh Market in Forest Park, was glad to see some reprieve for her customers — and for her store.
    Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Lee, who also stole a base and made several excellent defensive plays, was glad to still be a Giant following the deadline.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Such a configuration would not make Chicago more or less inclined to add a starter over a reliever before the trade deadline; the White Sox just need more good pitchers.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • In theory, this wouldn’t merely help fellow drivers, but pedestrians and bicyclists as well, who might be more inclined to pick up graphics on the ground in front of them rather than lights above the road.
    Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 July 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 9 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fain

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