Antonyms for eagerness

Grammar : Noun

Spell : ee-ger

Phonetic Transcription : ˈi gər

Definition of eagerness

Origin : late 13c., "strenuous, ardent, fierce, angry," from Old French aigre "sour, acid; harsh, bitter, rough; eager greedy; lively, active, forceful," from Latin acrem (nominative acer) "keen, sharp, pointed, piercing; acute, ardent, zealous" (see acrid).
Meaning "full of keen desire" (early 14c.) seems to be peculiar to English. The English word kept an alternative meaning of "pungent, sharp-edged" till 19c. (e.g. Shakespeare's "The bitter clamour of two eager tongues," in "Richard II"). Related: Eagerly; eagerness.

noun enthusiasm, anxiousness

Example sentences :

Obstacles will only increase his eagerness and multiply his artifices.
Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child

And it was with eagerness that I accepted the touching invitation.
Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

But the eagerness was all gone from his, and only the pallor left.
Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

She opened her eyes with a gleam of eagerness to hear the words.
Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden

In his eagerness, he saw no one save the woman whom he loved.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

In his eagerness, Chicago Red moved toward his questioner—unwisely.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

He put the question with an eagerness that seemed all sincere.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

He was leaning forward in his eagerness; he looked so zealous to be my champion—so honest!
Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark

In her eagerness, it was as if the halo of joy that surrounded her were quivering.
Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark

It seemed idle to go beyond that, and her eagerness would not have allowed it.
Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson

Synonyms for eagerness

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019