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
But Queen Victoria and the royals were reluctant to part with it because of the gem’s value and glory.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Because the taxing power is so important, Roberts seems reluctant to let Congress hand it over to the executive branch unless Congress speaks clearly.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
First, although Warsh has signaled his openness to easing borrowing costs, several Fed officials remain reluctant to ease rates.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Putin had unilaterally called the three-day pause last week, but Ukraine had been reluctant to sign on, believing that Putin hoped to use it as cover for the May 9 parade, which the Kremlin fears was vulnerable to Ukrainian attack.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
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Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Because the taxing power is so important, Roberts seems reluctant to let Congress hand it over to the executive branch unless Congress speaks clearly.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
First, although Warsh has signaled his openness to easing borrowing costs, several Fed officials remain reluctant to ease rates.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Putin had unilaterally called the three-day pause last week, but Ukraine had been reluctant to sign on, believing that Putin hoped to use it as cover for the May 9 parade, which the Kremlin fears was vulnerable to Ukrainian attack.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 8 May 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 11 May. 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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