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

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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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fain
  1. willing
  2. rather
  3. ready
  4. willingly
  5. glad
  6. inclined
Adjective
  • Bubbles pop when liquidity tightens, meaning higher rates or stiffer regulation make money harder to borrow, and private creditors grow less willing to lend at any rate.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Those conducting the online scams are sometimes willing con artists, and other times trafficked foreign nationals -- many Chinese -- tricked themselves into work and held in prison-like compounds.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of willing
Adverb
  • After a rather lengthy political battle, Bethan Vaughan triumphs over an antisemitic and xenophobic candidate to become only the second PM during the run of The Diplomat.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • El Niño is not a storm that hits at a particular location, but rather a long duration phenomenon that tilts the odds in favor of extreme weather and climate events for certain areas.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rather
Adjective
  • Tajdar Amrohi says that by the time the film was ready for release, his father didn’t have a penny to keep for himself and was deep in debt.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The staff are attentive and put in a lot of effort, ready to share tips and favourite restaurants, and really go the extra mile to make your stay pleasant and memorable.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ready
Adverb
  • The film’s central question, as Coon sees it, is why someone might willingly abandon a conventional life for an alternative community.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For some activists, willingly accepting arrest becomes another visible demonstration of commitment.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adjective
  • Welcome back Insiders, glad to have you here after a busy week in Cannes and plenty else going on.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The publisher was so glad, saying thank you because the book is back, and on top of that, the world is discovering that character.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of glad
Adjective
  • Screens make staying in easy Puls said that adults are more inclined to stay home and stream movies and TV shows instead of hosting friends and family or going out.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Republicans were slightly more inclined to approve, with 34 percent arguing it should be livestreamed, but even there, an overwhelming 64 percent disagreed.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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