FAIN Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

fain 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān

Definition of fain

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

Adjective

Decades ago, local bankers might know a veteran personally and be willing to take a chance on them.

— Susan Sarkauskas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
The airline has been known for offering low fares to passengers willing to pay extra for things like snacks and carry-on bags and willing to forgo perks like in-flight Wi-Fi and television screens.

— Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of willing

Adjective

Important offseason for Josue De Paula De Paula not only proved that his offensive skills were major league-ready last season, but also earned a spot on the postseason roster with a mature approach in high-pressure situations.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
The various hospitals, EMS teams, police departments, and fire departments that had bags on hand showed a ready willingness to share the wealth with other responders who didn’t.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of ready

Adverb

DeLillo has written his share of sturdy female characters, but never in the first person, and never so willingly.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
However, there is a price to pay, and our veterans have willingly made the choice to challenge all those who would try to defeat our military, the greatest military in the world.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of willingly

Adjective

But Glennon’s glad-handing soon gives way to a much blunter critique when my Ear-Candling Tech’s apprentice steps in to say that my team has absolutely had it with me and my excuses.

— Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Many rabid fans from other cities would be glad to trade places with them anytime.

— Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of glad

Adjective

After their massive Election Day losses, some GOP lawmakers are inclined to fully overhaul their leadership.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Legislators do not seem inclined to support that $10 billion tranche of funding for the Park Service in the capital region.

— Joe Heim, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 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.

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failures

fain

faint

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Style

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of fain

adjective

adverb

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