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
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
There has so far been a reluctance to budge, citing that football has a contractual priority during its season.
—
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
There’s also a reluctance to become reliant on Nvidia’s chips on the Chinese side.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 May 2026
The Assembly echoed the Senate’s reluctance to make cuts to safety net programs.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
But perhaps best of all is the city’s reluctance to take itself too seriously.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
There’s also a reluctance to become reliant on Nvidia’s chips on the Chinese side.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 May 2026
The Assembly echoed the Senate’s reluctance to make cuts to safety net programs.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
But perhaps best of all is the city’s reluctance to take itself too seriously.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s
: the quality or state of being reluctant
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