fain 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān How to pronounce fain (audio)
Definition of fainnext
as in willing
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) during the Renaissance most men of science and the arts were fain to express their noblest thoughts in Latin, the lingua franca of the learned

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fain

2 of 2

adverb

as in rather
by choice or preference "I would fain not marry that suitor, my lord," the princess pleaded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fain
  1. willing
  2. rather
  3. ready
  4. glad
  5. inclined
Adjective
  • Many commentators reflected on the misogyny behind the backlash, and noted that the public always seemed particularly willing to tear down successful women.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Losing him to another team was a possibility the Knicks weren’t willing to entertain.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of willing
Adverb
  • The main question about Squid Game season 2 is not critic scores, but rather viewership.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • The long fight for equality is far from over, and our collective engagement is not optional but rather a moral imperative.
    Jen Cousins and KBF Francis, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • This season millions of eager skiers and snowboarders are ready for the next powder dump.
    Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Have all of your sauce ingredients lined up and ready to go.
    Liz Mervosh, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of ready
Adjective
  • So glad The Athletic finally has a team dedicated to creating data visualizations!
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
  • In story-ballet mode, the corps brings the main characters’ props onstage—such as scarves that represent the blood of the security guard’s many victims—and then exits with glad little jetés.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of glad
Adjective
  • In California, the country’s largest market for EVs, buyers who dislike Musk’s politics are sourcing on the brand and may be more inclined to choose a competitor.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The film should come with a warning for those less inclined to the sight of rats.
    Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of inclined
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near fain

failures

fain

faint

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Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fain

Nglish: Translation of fain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fain for Arabic Speakers

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