reluctant

adjective

re·​luc·​tant ri-ˈlək-tənt 

: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness

reluctant to get involved

also : having or assuming a specified role unwillingly

a reluctant hero

Synonyms of reluctant

• hesitant
• unwilling

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

Lancaster County is known as the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish community, a religious group that is sometimes reluctant to embrace modern medical interventions such as vaccines. — Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The problem this creates is that refs can be reluctant to award a second yellow. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

But Swift thinks Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh will be reluctant to get involved. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Although the emergency room remains a safety net, my patient was reluctant to go, knowing he might be discharged with a bill if not deemed sick enough for admission. — Benjamin I. Lee, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for reluctant

• reductant

Kids Definition

reluctant

adjective

re·​luc·​tant ri-ˈlək-tənt 

: showing doubt or unwillingness

reluctant to answer

reluctantly adverb