reluctant

adjective

re·​luc·​tant ri-ˈlək-tənt How to pronounce reluctant (audio)
: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness
reluctant to get involved
also : having or assuming a specified role unwillingly
a reluctant hero
Choose the Right Synonym for reluctant

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again
disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work
not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of reluctant in a Sentence

94% of the butterflies are females, and they jostle for the attention of the few males, who seem reluctant suitors. Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, "Brick!" Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994
The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step. Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893
The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852
We were reluctant to get involved. He might agree but seems reluctant to admit it.
Recent Examples on the Web Driving the increase are higher mortgage rates, which makes homeowners reluctant to sell their properties given the elevated costs of finding a new place, coupled with a dearth of homes on the market. CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 The person said any delays are particularly worrisome because European states are also now reluctant to sell arms to Israel. Matt Gutman, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reluctant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reluctant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin reluctant-, reluctans, present participle of reluctari to struggle against, from re- + luctari to struggle

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reluctant was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near reluctant

Cite this Entry

“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reluctant

adjective
re·​luc·​tant ri-ˈlək-tənt How to pronounce reluctant (audio)
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on reluctant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!