fainter

ADJECTIVE

having little effect on senses

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate dim distant dull far-off gentle hazy inaudible mild muffled muted remote slight soft soothing stifled vague weak

STRONG

aside bated bleached blurred deadened deep faded faltering hushed light low moderate murmuring muttering obscure padded pale piano quiet smooth softened subdued thin wan whispered

WEAK

bland breathless dusty feeble hoarse ill-defined imperceptible indistinct lenient low-pitched out of earshot shadowy tenuous unclear

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright certain clear close definite distinct firm friendly harsh healthy intelligent loud near nearby rough sharp smart strong sure thick violent warm

STRONG

boisterous colorful heavy uncontrolled

WEAK

bold brave courageous resolute

ADJECTIVE

weak

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate slight

STRONG

dizzy drooping enervated exhausted faltering fatigued tender

WEAK

feeble fragile languid lethargic lightheaded unenthusiastic woozy

Antonyms

STRONG

animated energized invigorated lively refreshed

WEAK

bold brave clear courageous distinct heavy loud resolute strong

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.

As brands go through creative directors like tissues, the connection to what made a house beloved seems to get fainter and fainter.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Most cell phones now use two GPS frequency bands -- one that is older and fainter, and a second that is newer and stronger.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Even after standardizing their brightness, the team found that supernovae originating from younger stars tend to look fainter, while those from older stars appear brighter.

From Science Daily • Nov. 6, 2025

The more distant the star is, the fainter it appears.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2025

I keep trying to grasp at it, to hold on to it, but the harder I struggle, the fainter and the further away it gets.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins