FAIN Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

fain 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfān

Definition of fain

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

Relevance

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

Adjective

Communities need younger residents willing to become involved, learn the issues, ask questions, and accept responsibility.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
As a result, sellers may be more willing to cut prices or cover closing costs to ink a deal.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of willing

Adverb

Some groups have also emphasized that public health officials should lead not with conversations about an individual child’s risk or potential benefit from vaccines, but rather the vaccines’ impact on society overall.

— Nicholas Florko, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rather

Adjective

These are houses that agents have secured listing contracts but aren’t ready to be seen by the public.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Dentists likely are champing at the bit, ready and willing to substitute some dental floss for a slab of chocolate.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of ready

Adverb

Carney remembered Goulding as someone who willingly took on difficult challenges, and Wong as someone his family could always depend on.

— Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of willingly

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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failures

fain

faint

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Style

“Fain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fain. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fain

adjective

adverb

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