reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s 
1
: the quality or state of being reluctant
2
: the opposition offered in a magnetic circuit to magnetic flux
specifically
: the ratio of the magnetic potential difference to the corresponding flux
Examples of reluctance in a Sentence
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite their initial reluctance, the siblings practiced daily, forming their band Selena y Los Dinos and performing at their father’s restaurant.
—
Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Advertisement There are still more files that have not yet been made public, though the House is set to vote next week on the disclosure of files after a discharge petition forced the measure to be taken up despite Republican leadership’s reluctance.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
The shift is intense from the get-go — especially if anyone has low morale based on Robert’s reluctance to drop Invisigal from the squad.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Bangladeshi civil society welcomed rhetorical support for its democracy but was demoralized by Washington’s reluctance to act decisively.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Advertisement There are still more files that have not yet been made public, though the House is set to vote next week on the disclosure of files after a discharge petition forced the measure to be taken up despite Republican leadership’s reluctance.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
The shift is intense from the get-go — especially if anyone has low morale based on Robert’s reluctance to drop Invisigal from the squad.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Bangladeshi civil society welcomed rhetorical support for its democracy but was demoralized by Washington’s reluctance to act decisively.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s
: the quality or state of being reluctant
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