reluctance

noun

re·​luc·​tance ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s How to pronounce reluctance (audio)
Synonyms of reluctance
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The surface reluctance of the United States, over past decades, to use force helped preserve the potency of the Pentagon. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 Pitchers become unavailable through their own reluctance and/or their teams’ resistance. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 July 2026 One aspect of the Sky’s reluctance to trade Diggins is practicality. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 The export and manufacturing-led economic resilience is expected to reinforce Beijing’s reluctance to roll out stimulus to revive tepid consumer demand. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reluctance

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reluctance was circa 1628

Rhymes for reluctance

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reluctance

noun
re·​luc·​tance ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s How to pronounce reluctance (audio)
: the quality or state of being reluctant

More from Merriam-Webster on reluctance

Nglish: Translation of reluctance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reluctance

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