reluctantly

adverb

re·​luc·​tant·​ly ri-ˈlək-tənt-lē 

: in a reluctant manner : with aversion or hesitation

The quiet resolution in his voice penetrated her racing thoughts. Reluctantly she gave him a corner of her attention.

—Elizabeth George Speare

He is about to release 'Thriller,' and today he's agreed, reluctantly, to sit for the Rolling Stone cover.

—Gerri Hirshey

Kirsti had gone to bed reluctantly, complaining that she wanted to stay up with the others, that she was grownup enough, … that it wasn't fair.

—Lois Lowry

Examples of reluctantly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As socialist central planning failed to produce sustained growth, the ruling Cuban Communist Party has, reluctantly, allowed citizens to open small-scale private businesses. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

On further reflection, reluctantly tying up your partner and summoning the courage to ask your boss for a raise might not have very much in common. —Andrew Martin, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

After some nudging by Marie, Olga reluctantly went in. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Teams had until the end of one day to sign the 112-page document, which guarantees access to top-level Cup Series races and a revenue stream, and 13 of 15 organizations reluctantly agreed. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above