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

Audiences are more willing than ever to consume and accept differentiated content – look at the success of phenomena such as Obsession and Backrooms.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
For weddings, big celebrations, or private dinners for couples willing to pay the price, events and meals can be organized by the hotel inside the Château.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of willing

Adverb

But just moments later, as the name of lead star Andrew Scott appeared on stage, the loud snuffles were replaced with whoops and, in rather uncharacteristically British style, a standing ovation for the actor.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
This is the man who made the two-and-a-half-hour, stream-of-consciousness passion project Bardo (2022), after all, which several critics also found rather abrasive and self-indulgent.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rather

Adjective

Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
When they were scheduled to play in Rio, they were seen as an encapsulation of a nefarious past the country was ready to move away from.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ready

Adverb

Council member Dale Reynolds, who first made the motion to approve the ordinance, questioned whether there was any incentive for the public to willingly register their bikes.

— Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026
The front end simply carves into turns with the slightest shift of body position, leaning over willingly enough to eliminate conscious thought and hesitation right out of the gate.

— Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of willingly

Adjective

Somewhere between all the wings and dips, someone will be glad to see something fresh.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026
The 6-foot, 200-pound Jenkins, known as Lightz by his teammates, wasn’t nervous about taking the field, just glad to be back on the football field.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of glad

Adjective

On an inclined or sitting surface, their heads can fall forward or their bodies can shift into a position that compromises breathing.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
The lightest atomic nuclei are found in hydrogen atoms, and these are the most inclined to quantum tunneling.

— Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fain

adjective

adverb

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