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

In a role and contract considerate of those things, Chicago was willing to take a swing at his talent.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Even more surprising is that it’s been reported that Netflix is even willing to release box-office numbers for these films.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of willing

Adverb

The hero, or antihero, of the story is Ichabod Crane, a rather ridiculous-looking schoolmaster who has set his cap for Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful, coquettish daughter of a wealthy Dutch farmer.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Atoms under a chip The QGI is rather tiny and relies on microwave and magnetic pulses.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rather

Adjective

But Argano, who drives Engine 10, isn't quite ready to pack it in.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
One such ruse, revealed by The Athletic in August 2024, involved a team of pickpockets being hired to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ready

Adverb

But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of willingly

Adjective

But McDowell is glad the Supreme Court blocked the use of the new districts for November.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Now that Earle Meets World is, well, out in the world, Alix, Ashtin, and the rest of the family are particularly glad that their breast cancer journey is in the spotlight—and plan on continuing to spread awareness.

— Caitlin Carlson, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of glad

Adjective

Republican strategist Whit Ayres said the convention can help galvanize low-propensity Trump voters who are less inclined to vote in the midterms than a presidential election.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
The price of gas has also hit the RV industry, making consumers less inclined to purchase RVs and travel.

— Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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

failures

fain

faint

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fain

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes