1
as in warm
having or giving off heat to a moderate degree
I left the bowl of soup sitting on the counter too long, and now it's lukewarm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neutral
showing little or no interest or enthusiasm
the dentist's lecture on the merits of flossing got only a lukewarm response
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lukewarm
Nobody wants to find a lukewarm carton of buttermilk among the potato chips.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The same lukewarm financial advice peddled by thousands of literal talking heads on Instagram Reels is slop.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
The decision to invest in xAI comes despite the proposal receiving a lukewarm response from the company’s investors last year.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Infuse ginger root and lemon juice with hot water to make an herbal tea, or squeeze lemon juice into lukewarm water with ginger root for a soothing warm drink.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lukewarm
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The same lukewarm financial advice peddled by thousands of literal talking heads on Instagram Reels is slop.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
The decision to invest in xAI comes despite the proposal receiving a lukewarm response from the company’s investors last year.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Infuse ginger root and lemon juice with hot water to make an herbal tea, or squeeze lemon juice into lukewarm water with ginger root for a soothing warm drink.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lukewarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lukewarm
Adjective
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That has come to bear in his latest effort, Junior, a gorgeous 50-seat restaurant full of warm sound and spirit.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
First, fill the tub with warm water and dissolve one tablet, or one-half tablet for sinks.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Creeping thyme likes a soil pH that is neutral to slightly alkaline.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The driving force behind that challenge for Texas was the Red River Rivalry game against the Sooners, which is played at a neutral site but accounted for one of the Longhorns’ four allotted SEC home games in 2025.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, economists have been cautioning that the tepid January for claims was not a sign of a turnaround in the labor market.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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The reality is that with this setup, the franchise has received mostly tepid responses from fans and critics alike.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cook until brown on one side, about 3 minutes, then gently flip and cook on the other side until the cakes are evenly golden and heated through, about 2 minutes.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
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All that is accompanied by six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, five heated indoor and outdoor pools, wellness experiences, and more.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The administration of President Donald Trump is unenthusiastic about EVs compared the previous Biden administration.—
Bill Koenig,
Forbes.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Cracker Barrel statement doesn't satisfy naysayers Reactions to the announcement were largely unenthusiastic, with many fans accusing the chain of ignoring their concerns and calling for a return to the old brand design.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Dec. 2025
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Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Alex Bregman was the one who got away, the All-Star third baseman the club tried to sign in spring training with a halfhearted contract proposal that would be rejected.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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The closest Alex and Tess get to a custody battle is a halfhearted chat about who gets the armoire.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lukewarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lukewarm. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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