reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt 
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.
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 on the Web
Luxury Retail Remade Saks Global might have started off 2025 in a hole, with many vendors smarting over money still owed for past orders and reluctant to ship fresh goods to the retailer, but the trends have been getting better.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025
Judges are sometimes reluctant to enforce them when monetary damages for a breach are calculable.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
In the House, Republican leader have been reluctant to go along, but there could be enough GOP and Democratic support to pass something.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Armstrong has been reluctant to orchestrate a complete rebuild, arguing that stripping the franchise down to the studs for a chance to pick a player who might make a difference may not be worth the pain.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
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Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025
Judges are sometimes reluctant to enforce them when monetary damages for a breach are calculable.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
In the House, Republican leader have been reluctant to go along, but there could be enough GOP and Democratic support to pass something.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Armstrong has been reluctant to orchestrate a complete rebuild, arguing that stripping the franchise down to the studs for a chance to pick a player who might make a difference may not be worth the pain.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly
adverb
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