reluctantly

adverb

re·​luc·​tant·​ly ri-ˈlək-tənt-lē How to pronounce reluctantly (audio)
: 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
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The novel follows Cecilia Chen, a wife and mother who reluctantly relocates from Paris to Los Angeles for her husband’s work with their two children in tow. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025 Cam reluctantly answered a few questions, but at one point in the tense interview, took a shot of his Pink Horse Power drink while on air. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025 In the series’ most famous scene, Wyler, who has reluctantly accepted the role of Ambassador to the United Kingdom, is read, drag style, by Vice-President Grace Penn, played by Allison Janney. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 The Intruder by Freida McFadden When a hurricane bears down on her remote cabin, Casey discovers a bloodied, knife-wielding girl outside her window and reluctantly lets her in. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reluctantly

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reluctantly was in 1646

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Cite this Entry

“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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