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

The deep reluctance of house hunters to buy in 2023 and 2025 was compared to the ugliness of the 2007-2009 debacle. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026

Besides the reluctance of many people to share their own DNA profile for investigations, the success rate also depends on people’s willingness to have their DNA catalogued at all. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

Justine MacNeil, the pastry chef and co-owner of Fiore, also sees that reluctance to change. —Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Feb. 2026

In chats among Kalshi traders on the online forum Discord, some show their reluctance to reveal their trading tricks by misdirecting. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Feb. 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