fainthearted

[feynt-hahr-tid] / ˈfeɪntˈhɑr tɪd /

ADJECTIVE

timid

Synonyms

WEAK

afraid cowardly cowed cowering fearful frightened gutless having cold feet intimidated lily-livered meek mousy spineless unassertive weak wimpy yellow

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even with Washington’s blessing, the trade isn’t for the fainthearted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

Silver can be “extremely volatile,” and trading it is “not for the fainthearted or overleveraged,” Morrison said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

This is not the time to be fainthearted but to continue pressing the advantage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2025

But it's not for the fainthearted - or the claustrophobic.

From BBC • May 8, 2024

Which is, of course, something to give any normal fainthearted man, and particularly a writing man, pause.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger