half-hearted
adjective
half-heart·ed
ˈhaf-ˈhär-təd 
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
At their worst, steakhouses make diners feel trapped among the creamed spinaches, wedge salads, half-hearted seafood offerings, staid decor, and big Napa Cabs only an expense account could love.
—
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 June 2025
Nicholas had offered concessions to reformers, including the establishment of a legislative body called the Duma in 1906, but these half-hearted measures failed to stem the tide of revolution.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
This half-hearted interest in naturalism hurts more than helps.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Sometimes that means some half-hearted efforts against lesser teams.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for half-hearted
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Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 June 2025
Nicholas had offered concessions to reformers, including the establishment of a legislative body called the Duma in 1906, but these half-hearted measures failed to stem the tide of revolution.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
This half-hearted interest in naturalism hurts more than helps.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Sometimes that means some half-hearted efforts against lesser teams.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for half-hearted
Cite this Entry
“Half-hearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-hearted. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
halfhearted
adjective
half·heart·ed
-ˈhärt-əd
: lacking spirit or interest
halfhearted applause from the audience
halfheartedly
adverb
halfheartedness
noun
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