as in timid
easily frightened
the sport of river rafting is not for those who are fainthearted
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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
-
Putin played the timid souls of these make-America-weak policymakers like a violin.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Although timid at first, Sarah has now let her personality shine.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The filmmakers used the sounds of babies crying to make a scary noise In the film, the bad people go to a bad afterlife, and they’re taken there by creepy, inky shadow things.—
Drew Mackie,
People.com,
13 July 2025
-
Some of it was pretty scary, but Lu was very supportive and helpful, and so was his producer, Matt.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
After raids on California farms in June, some crops have been left unharvested, with farm operators fearful of more crackdowns to come.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Red flags might also include your child avoiding school or seeming fearful.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fainthearted. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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