Half-hearted

Half-hearted describes a lack of enthusiasm, energy, or commitment. It signifies doing something without genuine interest or full effort. Actions characterized as half-hearted are often performed perfunctorily, with a noticeable absence of genuine feeling or zeal. This state of mind suggests a degree of apathy or indifference towards a task, goal, or situation, leading to substandard results and a sense of incompleteness. The underlying cause may range from a lack of motivation, disinterest, or external pressures. Individuals exhibiting half-hearted behavior may come across as unconvincing or lacking conviction in their actions or words. The outcome often falls short of expectations, reflecting the diminished energy and engagement.

Half-hearted meaning with examples

• Sarah's presentation was clearly half-hearted; she stumbled over her words, made minimal eye contact, and didn't seem to believe in the material. The audience could sense her lack of enthusiasm, which resulted in a negative evaluation from the professor.
• The team's performance in the crucial game was hampered by their half-hearted attempts at defense. They lacked the intensity and aggression required, allowing the opposing team to easily score. The coach was extremely displeased with the lackluster effort.
• John's half-hearted attempt to clean his room consisted of haphazardly shoving things under his bed. His mother was not fooled and insisted that he redo the task with genuine effort and commitment.
• The company's half-hearted efforts to address employee concerns only resulted in further dissatisfaction. Without real solutions, the workers felt unheard and their morale continued to decline, leading to increased turnover.
• Despite promising to support his friend's business venture, Mark's half-hearted investment and promotional efforts yielded insignificant outcomes. He provided a small amount of capital, but did not offer the guidance he had originally pledged.