halfheartedness

noun

as in coldness

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for halfheartedness
  1. coldness
  2. heartlessness
  3. callousness
  4. hardness
  5. obduracy
  6. coolness
  7. numbness
  8. insensitivity
Noun
  • The music recalled the angst and coldness of Carpenter’s movie scores but with more robust arrangements, buttressed by Davies’ guitar.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Orris adds earthy depth, while a petrichor accord gives the scent an eerie coldness.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 July 2026
Definition of coldness
Noun
  • These young graduates start out naive about the heartlessness of the corporate world and harbor illusory hopes for success in unforgiving professions.
    — George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The lives of the two children in the story, aged fourteen and four, are portrayed as being as fleeting as the fireflies, and the story is an unsentimental and unflinching account with moments of both tenderness and heartlessness.
    — Ginny Tapley Takemori September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of heartlessness
Noun
  • Simon’s self-righteous callousness warranted a rebuke, but the rebuke provided Simon the opportunity to see the situation more clearly, to repent, and to love more going forward.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
  • Before leaders such as Cox and Warnock were on the national stage, Hogan’s pragmatism, steady leadership and independence kept a better version of politics alive even as our public culture raced toward callousness and cruelty.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026
Definition of callousness
Noun
  • The best rocks are hard, non-porous rocks with a non-gritty surface, ideally a seven on the Mohs’ hardness scale.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In this form, boron nitride becomes what scientists call a superhard material, second in hardness to diamond.
    — Robin Macaluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardness
Noun
  • Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
  • But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
Definition of obduracy
Noun
  • The fabric is lightweight and breathable, with a cropped design that only adds coolness.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Stereo 41, Walnut Creek A bastion of late-night coolness – almost too cool – has taken root in downtown Walnut Creek.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Definition of coolness
Noun
  • Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, resulting in numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Pain, numbness or tingling in the lower extremities can point to an orthopedic issue, but the same sensations can also signal prostate cancer that has spread.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of numbness
Noun
  • The endeavor ultimately showed how the group’s interdependent dynamic made for constant self-incrimination and insensitivity masquerading as selflessness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • Influencer criticism calling the sandwich ‘not worth it’ and dismissing ‘traditional style’ food triggered accusations of cultural insensitivity.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of insensitivity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

halfheartedly
halfheartedness
half-life
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Cite this Entry

“Halfheartedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/halfheartedness. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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