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

Synonyms

• lukewarm
• tepid
• uneager
• unenthusiastic

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

In the case of settler violence, such efforts appear to be sporadic and half-hearted. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024

Their skating looked slow next to the Lightning, their puck battles were half-hearted and so on. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024

The film dutifully trots out returning human characters Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter), Sonic’s adoptive parents, but their participation in the adventure seems half-hearted at best. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024

How can Ukraine win this fight with indecisive and half-hearted allies? —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

halfhearted

adjective

half·​heart·​ed -ˈhärt-əd 

: lacking spirit or interest

halfhearted applause from the audience

halfheartedly adverb

halfheartedness noun