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
Perhaps what’s driving continued reluctance to cover these products for weight loss is the overall impact that GLP-1s have on employers’ pharmacy budgets.
—
Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
But that would be a huge change in direction, given his consistent reluctance to confront and punish the Kremlin so far.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
But some Iredell County officials have expressed reluctance about allowing the Red Line to extend into Iredell County.
—Avi Bajpai, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2025
During the hearing, lawmakers called out Kennedy on his reluctance to unequivocally advise parents to vaccinate their children as the nation faces a measles outbreak.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
But that would be a huge change in direction, given his consistent reluctance to confront and punish the Kremlin so far.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
But some Iredell County officials have expressed reluctance about allowing the Red Line to extend into Iredell County.
—Avi Bajpai, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2025
During the hearing, lawmakers called out Kennedy on his reluctance to unequivocally advise parents to vaccinate their children as the nation faces a measles outbreak.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 May 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 10 Jun. 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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