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
On rare occasions, a patient may voice reluctance about having a robot involved in their surgical care.
—
Novant Health, Charlotte Observer, 24 Nov. 2025
The reluctance of young people in Germany to be subject to mandatory conscription is clear.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025
But the case never made it to trial because of judicial delays spurred in part by the court’s reluctance to challenge the primacy of religious charities in child welfare.
—Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Germany’s ongoing commitments to provide war materiel to Ukraine and the population’s reluctance to undertake military service hinder a speedy conventional military buildup.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Novant Health, Charlotte Observer, 24 Nov. 2025
The reluctance of young people in Germany to be subject to mandatory conscription is clear.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025
But the case never made it to trial because of judicial delays spurred in part by the court’s reluctance to challenge the primacy of religious charities in child welfare.
—Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Germany’s ongoing commitments to provide war materiel to Ukraine and the population’s reluctance to undertake military service hinder a speedy conventional military buildup.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s
: the quality or state of being reluctant
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