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

Synonyms of reluctance

• unwillingness
• hesitancy
• reticence
• hesitance
• doubt
• disinclination

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

For CEOs and boards, the reluctance to address the cultural shift stems from a deeper fear that today’s investment will be obsolete by next week. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025

Probing the reluctance to borrow A lot of the hesitancy comes down to fear of risk, Karlan says. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 13 Dec. 2025

The failure of the cannabis stocks to return to even their August highs, however, may signal the market’s reluctance to put much faith in the immediate benefits of a reclassification of pot. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

If central bankers show reluctance to order further cuts, stocks could fall. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reluctance

• conductance
• inductance
• transconductance

Kids Definition

reluctance

noun

re·​luc·​tance ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being reluctant