faint 1 of 3

adjective

ˈfānt How to pronounce faint (audio)
Definition of faintnext
1
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly after wandering in the woods for hours, we had only a faint idea of where we were

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2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength I was starting to feel a little faint after going so long without food

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faint

2 of 3

noun

as in trance
a temporary state of unconsciousness shocking news can cause a person to fall into a faint

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faint

3 of 3

verb

as in to collapse
to lose consciousness the kind of person who faints at the sight of blood

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of faint
Adjective
Keep in mind that tonight’s waxing gibbous moon will be 60 percent illuminated, which could make spotting fainter auroras tricky. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 Advanced telescopes are helping to pinpoint fainter stars that previously eluded detection, so there could be even speedier ones waiting to be found. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
Taking on an enormous corporation isn’t for the faint of heart; thank goodness Smalls, who first organized the Congress of Essential Workers and then the Amazon Labor Union, has a heart strong enough to keep struggling for his colleagues against a monolithic management team. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 In his view, politics isn't for the faint of heart and neither is being cast on a reality show. — Saige Miller, NPR, 31 May 2026
Verb
Last month, Stewart halted his own performance at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre mid-song to breathe through an oxygen tank after nearly fainting. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026 Both can cause your body temperature to rise to dangerous levels, dizziness, nausea and fainting or passing out. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faint
  1. vague
  2. weak
  3. trance
  4. collapse
  5. hazy
  6. feeble
  7. daze
  8. swoon
Adjective
  • The Fed chairman, who took charge of the central bank in May, is deliberately vague, saying investors and businesses should watch what's happening in the economy, not in the policymaking corridors of Washington.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Senate proposal also includes measures to try and lighten the loads on Californians’ utility bills, though again, details remain vague.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • Paulina Prosnitz Back to the issue Welcome Wings Traveling to Greece last summer was a dreamlike trance of crystal-clear waters, skinny European cigarettes, and endless tzatziki.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Though the faith and worship systems of the time are largely unknown, researchers believe this rock art may depict a group in a trance state.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of trance
Verb
  • Sunny Patel’s father, Jitendra (ph), traveled to the region from New York for a spiritual retreat, crossing the border into Tibet to start the trek when the glacier collapsed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists who studied satellite images said bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayan region had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it.
    — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapse
Adjective
  • Its beers such as Easy Eddy, a hazy India pale ale, have won awards.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Some cleaners can also dull floors or leave a hazy residue on the surface.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • Instead of using a mirror to gather starlight, MOTHRA has many telephoto lenses, like those on a camera, which can capture faintly glowing wisps of gas and other feeble emanations across a wider field of view.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of feeble
Noun
  • Everyone in town seemed to walk through that day in a daze; Leslie’s name was spoken in hushed whispers.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Kutsuna has an impish twinkle; Yamada mutely swans about in a daze like an opium fiend.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of daze
Verb
  • Meta has swooned as the company fights litigation alleging that the firm seeded addictive behavior in children.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Years before Taylor and Travis, a beloved entertainment figure and a larger-than-life athlete were swooning in public.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of swoon

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Cite this Entry

“Faint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faint. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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