half-hearted

adjective

half-heart·​ed ˈhaf-ˈhär-təd How to pronounce half-hearted (audio)
ˈhäf-
variants or halfhearted
: lacking heart, spirit, or interest
a half-hearted effort
halfhearted applause
half-heartedly adverb
or halfheartedly
half-heartedness noun
or halfheartedness

Examples of half-hearted in a Sentence

a halfhearted attempt to clean the house before the arrival of the in-laws
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Although Disney has faced pushback from fans for what many viewers (including this writer) have called half-hearted attempts at LGBTQ+ inclusion, the House of Mouse has also been roped into right-wingers’ political agendas in recent years. Abby Monteil, Them, 4 Mar. 2025 Many older women are ambitious travelers craving more than the basic wellness experiences often marketed to them, Khoo notes, contrasting the newer generation of women’s tours with past half-hearted efforts to sell travel to female travelers without accounting for their real interests. Jen Rose Smith, AFAR Media, 3 Mar. 2025 Programs that were prominently featured in corporate messaging only weeks ago have vanished with stunning speed, revealing perhaps their half-hearted sponsorship … all along. Lewis M. Rambo, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025 Investors also believe the recent spate of announcements from Beijing is likely to have a bigger impact than previous half-hearted measures. Lee Ying Shan,ganesh Rao, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for half-hearted

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-hearted was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Half-hearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-hearted. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

halfhearted

adjective
half·​heart·​ed -ˈhärt-əd How to pronounce halfhearted (audio)
: lacking spirit or interest
halfhearted applause from the audience
halfheartedly adverb
halfheartedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on half-hearted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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