as in tepid
showing little or no interest or enthusiasm
a halfhearted attempt to clean the house before the arrival of the in-laws
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Recent Examples of halfhearted
He was used to students skipping the readings or making a halfhearted attempt.
—
Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
At times, Beijing has taken harsh measures toward North Korea—including temporarily suspending oil shipments, restricting Chinese tourism, and applying financial sanctions to the North—although such efforts have typically been short-lived and halfhearted.
—Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
At times, Beijing has taken harsh measures toward North Korea—including temporarily suspending oil shipments, restricting Chinese tourism, and applying financial sanctions to the North—although such efforts have typically been short-lived and halfhearted.
—Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for halfhearted
Adjective
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Miami, one of the league’s most tepid offensive teams last season, entered the game leading the league in first quarter scoring, at just over 34 per game.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Trump, who met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term, said scheduling issues prevented a meeting, although North Korea has so far appeared tepid.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The interior designer’s Wayfair rug collection with Loloi includes so many options in neutral shades and subtle patterns that complement a variety of home styles, including modern, farmhouse, and traditional aesthetics.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boots also have vivid contrast stitching that offsets the neutral shoe colors, adding a touch of personality to an otherwise versatile boot.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Cracker Barrel statement doesn't satisfy naysayers Reactions to the announcement were largely unenthusiastic, with many fans accusing the chain of ignoring their concerns and calling for a return to the old brand design.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
26 Aug. 2025
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There's only so much one can glean from the preseason, but performance reviews for Maye have been unenthusiastic at best.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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An overnight post, a lukewarm coffee, and an unexpected traffic spike can set the tone for the morning rundown.—
Malana VanTyler,
Ascend Agency,
6 Nov. 2025
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Much like Jennifer’s Body 15 years earlier, Lisa Frankenstein had a lackluster box office run, and inspired lukewarm critic reviews.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Halfhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/halfhearted. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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