Synonyms of disinclined

disinclined

adjective

ˌdis-in-ˈklīnd 

as in reluctant

slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty

disinclined to pay his friends a visit without calling first

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reluctant
• hesitant
• loath
• unsure
• loth
• unwilling
• dubious
• loathe
• skeptical
• indisposed
• reticent
• uncertain
• cagy
• cagey
• averse
• doubtful
• timid
• unenthusiastic
• ambivalent
• irresolute
• conflicted
• infirm
• undecided
• questioning
• uneager
• wobbly
• faltering
• indecisive
• wabbly
• shy
• halting
• vacillating
• fainthearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inclined
• eager
• happy
• glad
• enthusiastic
• willing
• keen
• ready
• disposed
• decided
• certain
• sure
• resolute
• determined
• unquestioning

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disinclined different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disinclined are averse, hesitant, loath, and reluctant. While all these words mean "lacking the will or desire to do something indicated," disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

When might averse be a better fit than disinclined?

The synonyms averse and disinclined are sometimes interchangeable, but averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

When is it sensible to use hesitant instead of disinclined?

Although the words hesitant and disinclined have much in common, hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

When could loath be used to replace disinclined?

The words loath and disinclined are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

When can reluctant be used instead of disinclined?

While in some cases nearly identical to disinclined, reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disinclined

Clubs that never were expected to contend usually are disinclined to make a change before the All-Star break. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

The peshmerga, the military forces of Iraq’s two main Kurdish political parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, would be disinclined to halt Iranian troop movement that does not threaten their own interests. —Ehud Yaari, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2017

Newman was, like many in the 1960s, disinclined to gentrify the compositions with a frame, so the only way to conceal the hardware that anchored canvas to stretcher was to move the tacking edge to the back of the paintings, which had thus become the true tacking edges. —Sarah K. Rich, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025

The show also portrays the context of his school community, where teachers seem unable or disinclined to control their pupils. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025