disinclined

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​in·​clined ˌdis-in-ˈklīnd 

: unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval

disinclined

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of disincline

Synonyms of disinclined

Adjective

• reluctant
• hesitant

Choose the Right Synonym for disinclined

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of disinclined in a Sentence

Adjective

disinclined to pay his friends a visit without calling first

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

No wonder Giants manager Tony Vitello was disinclined to give a topical answer to a question about whether the Giants should move in the fences to accommodate hitters like Devers and Eldridge. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Banks are generally reluctant to lend to customers with ITINs, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are generally disinclined to insure mortgages for borrowers with an ITIN, according to the Associated Press. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 20 May 2026

After weeks of seeming sidelined by his boss and the more interventionist members of the administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance may appreciate a moment in the global limelight and will be disinclined to leave the talks empty-handed. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

Ryan Walker appears to have accomplished his goal of grabbing his old closer job back, but Vitello seems disinclined to name a closer outright. — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disinclined

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined