as in neutral
showing little or no interest or enthusiasm
my suggestion that we go to see the new action flick was greeted with an unenthusiastic shrug
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unenthusiastic
There's only so much one can glean from the preseason, but performance reviews for Maye have been unenthusiastic at best.
—
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
That may be why House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and other Republican leaders seem notably unenthusiastic about Trump’s Big Steal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
And yet many people were unenthusiastic about the economy as a whole.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Even an unenthusiastic attempt at mediation proved remarkably effective.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
That may be why House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and other Republican leaders seem notably unenthusiastic about Trump’s Big Steal.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
And yet many people were unenthusiastic about the economy as a whole.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Even an unenthusiastic attempt at mediation proved remarkably effective.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unenthusiastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unenthusiastic
Adjective
-
Fewer qubits, faster future The researchers tackled this problem using neutral atom systems, where atoms act as qubits and are arranged using laser beams known as optical tweezers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Pair it with matching black or nude heels for a neutral color scheme, or use your shoes to make a statement with a pop of color in a spring wedding guest look.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While job growth has been tepid over the past year, layoffs haven’t risen more than usual, meaning Americans are still able to power the economy with their spending.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
That’s a fate that befouls most of the heroic cast, who are underserved by a tepid script that can’t bother to locate and carry through coherent character arcs that would give this adventure real emotional weight.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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
-
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
Adjective
-
To rid your greenery of dust, gently wipe the leaves down with a towel and lukewarm water.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Overall, Clune and his colleagues’ new study has received a lukewarm reception.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unenthusiastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unenthusiastic. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
