as in timid
easily frightened
the sport of river rafting is not for those who are fainthearted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fainthearted
Breaking down a whole raw chicken is not for the fainthearted, but the results can be mouthwatering.
—
Sarah Schutte, National Review, 6 July 2025
Reading even a few paragraphs about the testimony at these two NYC trials isn’t for the fainthearted, and men and women recognize that there are some very bad actors who must be held accountable for their actions.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The results are not for the fainthearted, as very thick, dry skin tends to peel off in layers.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 30 May 2024
This film is not for the fainthearted or weak-stomached.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 June 2021
Even the most fainthearted and tremulous of our fellow citizens—our CEOs—could stick up for free speech without being called Nazi sympathizers.
—WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021
Moreover, restricting the initiative to projects in developed markets is a fainthearted stipulation that will hopefully be swiftly abandoned.
—Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
Ballet Theater itself is suddenly looking fainthearted and uncoordinated as a theatrical troupe.
—Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a fainthearted young woman with a troubled past whose first job is a secretarial position under an overbearing lawyer, Edward (James Spader).
—Sara Aridi, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Sarah Schutte, National Review, 6 July 2025
Reading even a few paragraphs about the testimony at these two NYC trials isn’t for the fainthearted, and men and women recognize that there are some very bad actors who must be held accountable for their actions.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The results are not for the fainthearted, as very thick, dry skin tends to peel off in layers.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 30 May 2024
This film is not for the fainthearted or weak-stomached.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 June 2021
Even the most fainthearted and tremulous of our fellow citizens—our CEOs—could stick up for free speech without being called Nazi sympathizers.
—WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021
Moreover, restricting the initiative to projects in developed markets is a fainthearted stipulation that will hopefully be swiftly abandoned.
—Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
Ballet Theater itself is suddenly looking fainthearted and uncoordinated as a theatrical troupe.
—Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a fainthearted young woman with a troubled past whose first job is a secretarial position under an overbearing lawyer, Edward (James Spader).
—Sara Aridi, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fainthearted
Adjective
-
This isn’t a timid little girl walking into a wedding night with Joffrey.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
-
In many ways, this was pretty much the ideal day after the timid 1-0 defeat to promoted Leeds United on Monday.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Residents recount a scary night and a quiet Chapman.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper Hoffman stars in one of the year’s best and scariest horror films as the determined Raymond Garraty, a spirited competitor and the son of Mrs. Garraty (Greer).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Even if kids are anxious or fearful, there's a benefit to going to school and maintaining daily activities.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
29 Aug. 2025
-
When employees are fearful of their leaders, progress is delayed or halted altogether.—
Dr. Cynthia J. Young,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fainthearted. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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