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
Going to the theatre in that period was hardly an entertainment for the fainthearted, and calamity was not confined to the stage.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fainthearted
Adjective
-
In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Finally, the Gators’ timid portal strategy is deliberate, not an unwillingness to adapt.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those wanting to level up the scary can opt for the RIP Experience, which is an intense, immersive and more interactive experience.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Jeanroy squats down, nudges Taïga aside, and starts digging with a cavadou—a sort of pick that resembles a very scary dental tool.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Limburg said the program is designed to reach people who have not been screened because of lack of medical access or transportation barriers − as well as those who are anxious or fearful over getting a colonoscopy.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Traders, fearful of missing out on the rally, are piling into equities in a way reminiscent of the 1990s, when a feeding frenzy on early internet companies inflated the market right before the bursting of the dot-com bubble.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fainthearted. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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