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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Recent Examples of unenthusiastic
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
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
That may be why House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and other Republican leaders seem notably unenthusiastic about Trump’s Big Steal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
And yet many people were unenthusiastic about the economy as a whole.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 26 Aug. 2025
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
That may be why House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and other Republican leaders seem notably unenthusiastic about Trump’s Big Steal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
And yet many people were unenthusiastic about the economy as a whole.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unenthusiastic
Adjective
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Civale entered Tuesday’s game with close to neutral splits, though, so Boone opted for Rosario in a low-risk, high-reward possibility.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With Ryan McMahon struggling and a neutral right-hander in Aaron Civale pitching for the Athletics on Tuesday, Aaron Boone decided to start the righty-swinging Amed Rosario at third base.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the last few decades, that swagger seems to have collapsed under the weight of a tepid banality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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After spending roughly $75,000 on product development and launching Body Mates in 2021, the duo abandoned the idea in 2023 following a tepid response from customers.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 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
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Because the innovator has, for enemies, all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders among those who may do well under the new.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Queta smashed those lukewarm expectations, emerging as not just a viable starter, but a true difference-maker.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unenthusiastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unenthusiastic. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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