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
Part of the reason for the decision, Acosta said, was the reluctance of his underage victims to testify.
—
Julie K Brown, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Trump has suggested the missiles could serve as leverage to bring Putin to the table, but his reluctance mirrors earlier delays in sanctions and aid to Kyiv.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Not just here Homebuyers across California are showing similar signs of reluctance.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Summer and her sister attended the execution at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre — where the state’s executions take place — despite their dad’s initial reluctance.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Julie K Brown, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Trump has suggested the missiles could serve as leverage to bring Putin to the table, but his reluctance mirrors earlier delays in sanctions and aid to Kyiv.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Not just here Homebuyers across California are showing similar signs of reluctance.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Summer and her sister attended the execution at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre — where the state’s executions take place — despite their dad’s initial reluctance.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 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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