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

That reluctance to expose his central characters and the institution to ridicule is odd given the novel’s account of Ayad’s education as a playwright. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

The reluctance to issue has, in large part, been driven by a pricing standoff between company owners and investors. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Lawmakers’ growing reluctance to fulfill Hegseth’s eye-popping budget request reflects real intraparty concerns about his leadership, his relationship with Congress, and the ongoing war with Iran. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026

That reluctance highlights the slower parts of regime change so far. — Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 25 Sep. 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