as in timid
easily frightened
the sport of river rafting is not for those who are fainthearted
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Recent Examples of fainthearted
The results are not for the fainthearted, as very thick, dry skin tends to peel off in layers.
—
Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 30 May 2024
This film is not for the fainthearted or weak-stomached.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 June 2021
Even the most fainthearted and tremulous of our fellow citizens—our CEOs—could stick up for free speech without being called Nazi sympathizers.
—WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021
Moreover, restricting the initiative to projects in developed markets is a fainthearted stipulation that will hopefully be swiftly abandoned.
—Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
Ballet Theater itself is suddenly looking fainthearted and uncoordinated as a theatrical troupe.
—Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a fainthearted young woman with a troubled past whose first job is a secretarial position under an overbearing lawyer, Edward (James Spader).
—Sara Aridi, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 30 May 2024
This film is not for the fainthearted or weak-stomached.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 June 2021
Even the most fainthearted and tremulous of our fellow citizens—our CEOs—could stick up for free speech without being called Nazi sympathizers.
—WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021
Moreover, restricting the initiative to projects in developed markets is a fainthearted stipulation that will hopefully be swiftly abandoned.
—Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019
Ballet Theater itself is suddenly looking fainthearted and uncoordinated as a theatrical troupe.
—Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a fainthearted young woman with a troubled past whose first job is a secretarial position under an overbearing lawyer, Edward (James Spader).
—Sara Aridi, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fainthearted
Adjective
-
To say that does not trivialize the Holocaust, as some timid folk insist.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2025
-
In middle age, Didi has also become timid after being let down too much by others.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a lot to love with Tuten and his ceiling is super high, but the floor is extremely scary because of his fumbles.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Though these scenes unfold in real time, the narrative as a whole progresses in fits and starts: episodes are separated by days or months, during which Jamie becomes something of a cause célèbre for the internet’s scariest men.—
Inkoo Kang,
The New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Morale inside the agency has plummeted, and retirees are growing fearful that the system might start faltering in getting checks out.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The first grooming session left her dog fearful and anxious, which is common among canines.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fainthearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fainthearted. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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