as in neutral
showing little or no interest or enthusiasm
my suggestion that we go to see the new action flick was greeted with an unenthusiastic shrug
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unenthusiastic
And yet many people were unenthusiastic about the economy as a whole.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Even an unenthusiastic attempt at mediation proved remarkably effective.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
That first orgasm, a brittle, unenthusiastic moan rippling as the A24 logo fills the screen, isn’t so much experienced as performed.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
One thing that is not anticipated is an avalanche of opt-outs, which has played out in some programs, or an unenthusiastic response to a bowl challenge.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Even an unenthusiastic attempt at mediation proved remarkably effective.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
That first orgasm, a brittle, unenthusiastic moan rippling as the A24 logo fills the screen, isn’t so much experienced as performed.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
One thing that is not anticipated is an avalanche of opt-outs, which has played out in some programs, or an unenthusiastic response to a bowl challenge.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unenthusiastic
Adjective
-
This neutral boundary-setting phrase avoids unnecessary over-explaining.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Up against one of the game’s best servers, the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, Świątek’s lack of a release valve in tight moments and access to free points in more neutral ones led to a 7-5, 6-1 quarterfinal defeat.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rinse with tepid water and a rag or sponge.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2026
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Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Alex Bregman was the one who got away, the All-Star third baseman the club tried to sign in spring training with a halfhearted contract proposal that would be rejected.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Kat Dorn, a makeup artist at LRN Beauty, recommends mixing this cleaning solution with a little lukewarm water and patting the brushes dry with a paper towel.—
Taryn Brooke,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2026
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Although critics were lukewarm on the film itself, Hudson is now one step closer to Jackman’s prophecy after steadily building momentum in recent weeks with Golden Globe, Actor Awards and now Oscar nominations.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unenthusiastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unenthusiastic. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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