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
Despite his presence at Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 41, Scott’s reported half-hearted efforts to improve his in-ring skills in preparation for a blockbuster celebrity tag team match caused WWE to turn elsewhere for celebrity involvement at SummerSlam.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
While en route to one of their two destinations, Sean Lockwood’s acting insecurities get the better of him, and Josephine makes a half-hearted attempt to compliment their scene work that day.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
Instead, this production tries to hide its rough edges and half-hearted staging with a callow appeal to nostalgia for something that isn’t even very old yet.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The teen, bare-chested with unkempt hair under an askew cap, mumbles through a half-hearted apology and refuses to remove his ostentatious sunglasses when asked by the interviewer.
—EW.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for half-hearted
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Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
While en route to one of their two destinations, Sean Lockwood’s acting insecurities get the better of him, and Josephine makes a half-hearted attempt to compliment their scene work that day.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
Instead, this production tries to hide its rough edges and half-hearted staging with a callow appeal to nostalgia for something that isn’t even very old yet.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The teen, bare-chested with unkempt hair under an askew cap, mumbles through a half-hearted apology and refuses to remove his ostentatious sunglasses when asked by the interviewer.
—EW.com, 9 July 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 5 Aug. 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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