1
as in warm
having or giving off heat to a moderate degree
I left the bowl of soup sitting on the counter too long, and now it's lukewarm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neutral
showing little or no interest or enthusiasm
the dentist's lecture on the merits of flossing got only a lukewarm response
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lukewarm
Mamdani’s condemnation was lukewarm at best.
—
Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump has already proven lukewarm on Ukrainian autonomy and called for Europe to manage its own affairs with respect to Russia.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
To pay for the free buses, Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on millionaires and corporations, another plan Hochul has been lukewarm about.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
The reviews were — well, not lukewarm.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lukewarm
Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump has already proven lukewarm on Ukrainian autonomy and called for Europe to manage its own affairs with respect to Russia.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
To pay for the free buses, Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on millionaires and corporations, another plan Hochul has been lukewarm about.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
The reviews were — well, not lukewarm.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lukewarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lukewarm
Adjective
-
Set up your own cafe with deals on this convenient one-cup coffee maker and best-selling milk frother, plus keep your coffee hot all day with this mug warmer.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Further, thanks to the faux fur lining and waterproof leather exterior, your feet remain toasty warm and completely dry, no matter the conditions.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Not to mention the go-with-everything neutral hues these Ugg shoes are known for, including the ever-so-popular chestnut that is both nostalgic and remains on-trend.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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The second official described Qatar as a neutral location where money can flow freely with US approval and without risk of seizure.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Yeah, nations look tepid, right?—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Video shows a New York Rangers fan push a Boston Bruins fan down the stairs at TD Garden after a series of heated exchanges, court documents reveal.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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On Monday, Watkins and Hulsey had to be separated by the on-duty sergeant before their heated face-off escalated during a recess.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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
-
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Dec. 2025
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Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The closest Alex and Tess get to a custody battle is a halfhearted chat about who gets the armoire.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
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Musical theater loves a go-getter, and halfhearted irony just can’t stand up to this much zazz.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lukewarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lukewarm. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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