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

According to Deadline, the movie deals with Zuckerberg’s long-standing reluctance to fact-check political ads on Meta’s platforms. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Cutting away from the difficult discussion mirrors Ted’s initial reluctance to have it in the first place. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

This is not an idle burn, as the movie itself deals with Zuckerberg’s longstanding reluctance to fact-check political ads on Meta‘s platforms. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

That reluctance to expose his central characters and the institution to ridicule is odd given the novel’s account of Ayad’s education as a playwright. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

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