as in unwillingness
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reluctance
Group opponents Al Hilal, Pachuca and Salzburg will all hope to take advantage of any reluctance and shock Madrid on such a big stage.
—
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Perhaps that explains Emmy voters’ reluctance to go all in and reward young actors.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Is there a reason why there seems to be a reluctance to truly set the majority of these films’ runtimes in highly populated areas?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
Behind the reluctance of some to relax the rule — or eliminate it altogether — is the fear of La Grange becoming like some Chicago suburbs that attract problems with antisocial behavior that can come with too many bars where patrons could get out of hand.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Perhaps that explains Emmy voters’ reluctance to go all in and reward young actors.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Is there a reason why there seems to be a reluctance to truly set the majority of these films’ runtimes in highly populated areas?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
Behind the reluctance of some to relax the rule — or eliminate it altogether — is the fear of La Grange becoming like some Chicago suburbs that attract problems with antisocial behavior that can come with too many bars where patrons could get out of hand.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctance
Noun
-
Despite his hesitancy about giving up his role, Devers adjusted to being an everyday DH.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Yet investors in recent weeks had shown hesitancy about longer-duration bonds like the 30-year bond, Hughey said.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Arsenal’s reticence to spend on development players is understandable — particularly in the case of last January, when there was also an urgent need for a first-team centre-forward.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Given Moscow’s reticence over peace talks, momentum seems to be growing for taking a more aggressive posture backing sanctions.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Though the party may not explicitly endorse such behaviors, its hesitance to denounce them outright can be perceived as tacit approval, alienating voters who value law and order.—
Nafees Alam,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2025
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This is partly a reflection of the collapse of studio interest in newsy documentaries as well as hesitance around a movie that condemns Israeli policies.—
Marc Tracy,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There's no doubt whoever comes out of this liberal rat race will be sent packing when Iowans re-elect America First fighter Mariannette Miller-Meeks next fall.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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There is no doubt that the strike will be recorded as one of the most successful strategic bombing operations in history.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Its weakness is an intermittent lack of vulnerability and an occasional disinclination to leave all of that behind and pull out individual characters who have figured out that their travails flow from the difficulty of stopping American family life from turning into a Sam Shepard play.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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On the contrary, these works form a trail of historical and imagined personalities, full of desires and disinclinations that misalign.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctance. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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