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

Israeli police and military reluctance The Israeli police are overseen by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, himself a hard-line settler who has been convicted eight times for offenses that include supporting a terrorist organization. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Intense pride in their home has resulted in both protective zoning codes and an inbred reluctance to sell. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026

Previously, the Bank of Japan’s reluctance to raise its own rates coupled with fears the Fed would hike as soon as next month had been driving the yen’s recent slump. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

This reluctance to sell players beyond the big-ticket deals — Bale, Walker, Kane — had a profound strategic impact on the club. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 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