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

Synonyms of reluctance

• unwillingness
• hesitancy
• reticence
• hesitance
• doubt
• disinclination

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

The result of this will, surely, be creative self-censorship and a reluctance among the country’s best architects to bid for public work. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Knowing her reluctance to dish in interviews, fans may never find out what exactly that aside means. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 June 2026

But after gauging the reluctance among the council to support Lee’s plan, Falk is back to pushing in the opposite direction. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

So are side effects and a simple reluctance to take a drug indefinitely. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reluctance

• conductance
• inductance
• transconductance

Kids Definition

reluctance

noun

re·​luc·​tance ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being reluctant