tepid

adjective

tep·​id ˈte-pəd How to pronounce tepid (audio)
Synonyms of tepid
1
: moderately warm : lukewarm
a tepid bath
2
a
: lacking in passion, force, or zest
tepid poetry
b
: marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction
a tepid interest
a tepid response
tepidity
tə-ˈpi-də-tē How to pronounce tepid (audio)
te-
noun
tepidly
ˈte-pəd-lē How to pronounce tepid (audio)
adverb
tepidness noun

Synonyms of tepid

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Examples of tepid in a Sentence

He gave a tepid performance. My suggestion was given a tepid response.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 The stasis and the tepid job growth may not show it, but this labor market is in the throes of a major transformation as Baby Boomers retire, net immigration slows, AI advances and exogenous shocks ripple through the economy. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 September is off to a tepid start, a day after Wall Street closed out August on a downbeat note. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 And prominent national Democrats from states across the country have forcefully condemned Piker in ways that have drawn sharp contrast to el Sayed’s more tepid approach. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tepid

Word History

Etymology

Middle English teped, from Latin tepidus, from tepēre to be moderately warm; akin to Sanskrit tapati it heats, Old Irish tess heat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tepid was in the 14th century

Rhymes for tepid

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Browse Nearby Words

Tepic
tepid
tepidarium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tepid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tepid. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tepid

adjective
tep·​id ˈtep-əd How to pronounce tepid (audio)
1
: lukewarm
a tepid bath
2
: lacking enthusiasm or conviction : halfhearted
a tepid response
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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