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
-
Arab governments that for decades have been fierce advocates for the Palestinian cause are now facing criticism for their timid response to the extreme suffering in Gaza caused by Israel's war, risking a dangerous rift with their increasingly restive citizens.—
Mo Abbas,
NBC news,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Known for its timid and gentle nature, the snake is semiaquatic and nocturnal, feeding on earthworms in captivity.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
No one seems to know, and that might be the scariest part.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Sophie Cunningham suffered a scary right knee injury that forced her to exit the Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Superficially courteous and casually racist, Jimmer is an old school authority figure, from his wide-brimmed hat to his work boots, and he’s presented as a fearful impediment to Marshall’s mission right from the jump.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Traveling to England, he was incarcerated by a government fearful of seeing their monarchy overthrown at home as abroad.—
Matthew Redmond
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fainthearted. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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