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
Elizabeth George SpeareHe is about to release 'Thriller,' and today he's agreed, reluctantly, to sit for the Rolling Stone cover.—Gerri Hirshey
Gerri HirsheyKirsti 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
Lois LowryExamples of reluctantly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Set on Hawaii, The Wrecking Crew centers on estranged half-brothers Jonny (Momoa) and James (Bautista), who reluctantly reunite to investigate their father’s mysterious death.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
The delay, reluctantly granted by Circuit Judge Keith Carsten, came as jury selection was slated to begin Thursday morning before the last-minute wrench in the proceedings.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton partnered cautiously and reluctantly with NATO for an air war in Kosovo to stop ethnic cleansing.
—John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Teams had until the end of the 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.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
The delay, reluctantly granted by Circuit Judge Keith Carsten, came as jury selection was slated to begin Thursday morning before the last-minute wrench in the proceedings.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton partnered cautiously and reluctantly with NATO for an air war in Kosovo to stop ethnic cleansing.
—John Brummett, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Teams had until the end of the 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.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctantly
Cite this Entry
“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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