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

Thanks to a combination of lottery luck and a reluctance to ever truly bottom out, that’s as low as the Flames draft history can go. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Issues stemmed all season from Eberflus’ reluctance to run man coverage and send blitzes on a consistent basis. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2026

My reluctance isn’t due to any potential inconvenience or legal liability, but rather the fear of facing a sick passenger without the basic equipment or medications needed to help them. —Tushara Surapaneni, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

Democrats responded that Woodbridge’s long-standing reluctance to relax its strict rules brought this on, and said opponents who’ve repeatedly fought multifamily housing plans are to blame. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 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