reluctant

adjective re·luc·tant \ ri-ˈlək-tənt \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

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Examples: reluctant in a Sentence

Definition of reluctant

: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness

reluctant to get involved

; also : having or assuming a specified role unwillingly

a reluctant hero

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reluctantly

adverb

See reluctant defined for English-language learners

See reluctant defined for kids

Examples of reluctant in a Sentence

94% of the butterflies are females, and they jostle for the attention of the few males, who seem reluctant suitors. —Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, "Brick!" —Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994
The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step. —Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893
The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone. —Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852
We were reluctant to get involved.
He might agree but seems reluctant to admit it.

Recent Examples of reluctant from the Web

Such lassitude worries Western armies, which are reluctant to get sucked into another war.

— The Economist, "The fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa," 14 July 2018
As weightier allies found at the NATO summit this week, Mr. Trump is reluctant to help those who don’t pull their weight, and who can blame him?

— tony abbott, WSJ, "An Ally Sizes Up Donald Trump," 13 July 2018
Even after decontamination, folks would be reluctant to return.

— allison barrie, Fox News, "Innovative project harnesses Legos and smartphones in the fight against invisible, deadly weapons," 13 July 2018
Price was reluctant to send them so far away, even though their friends were going.

— page leggett, charlotteobserver, "At these YMCA camps, kids learn to sail, take in nature and 'make friends for life'," 12 July 2018
But Nelson is among many Democrats who have relied on sugar-industry contributions for support and has been reluctant to embrace proposals vigorously opposed by the sugar industry.

— david smiley and mary ellen klas, miamiherald, "Florida’s politicians use slimy algae to muddy each other," 11 July 2018
Paul is reluctant to overstate the significance of the sit-down because no single exchange delivered James to Los Angeles.

— lee jenkins, SI.com, "Fit For The King: LeBron James and the Lakers Form Hollywood's Ultimate Marriage," 11 July 2018
The commission said Delashaw had intimidated subordinates by yelling and swearing at them, creating a climate where staff members were reluctant to ask the type of questions needed to properly care for patients.

— sandi doughton, The Seattle Times, "Former Swedish surgeon Johnny Delashaw gets his license back, with restrictions," 10 July 2018
The Facebook groups formed the backbone of O’Rourke’s campaign, but some of the online activists have been reluctant to go out and knock on strange doors.

— andrew rice, Daily Intelligencer, "Can a Democrat Ever Win in Texas?," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reluctant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of reluctant

Latin reluctant-, reluctans, present participle of reluctari to struggle against, from re- + luctari to struggle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1638

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

reluctant Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reluctant

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated. disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.