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.
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
Lawmakers and governors have good reasons for being reluctant, tax policy experts said.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Drossman said some clients are reluctant to invest in opportunity zones again after their previous investments underperformed.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
With Hollywood reluctant to weigh in on politics at places like the Oscars this seems to be a place where the industry is coalescing.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
By design, the responsibility to pay these workers shifted from the employers, who were reluctant to pay Black laborers in the first place, to the whims of the customers.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
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Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Drossman said some clients are reluctant to invest in opportunity zones again after their previous investments underperformed.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
With Hollywood reluctant to weigh in on politics at places like the Oscars this seems to be a place where the industry is coalescing.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
By design, the responsibility to pay these workers shifted from the employers, who were reluctant to pay Black laborers in the first place, to the whims of the customers.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt 
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly
adverb
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