RELUCTANTLY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

reluctantly

adverb

Definition of reluctantly

as in hesitantly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reluctantly Gosling portrays Ryland Grace, a middle-grade teacher and molecular biologist who reluctantly gets recruited for a desperate deep space mission to try and solve a cosmic conundrum that's causing our sun to slowly dim. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 7 July 2026 Pushing a call button to summon help often is done reluctantly, according to state ombudsmen. — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026 Elizabeth Stanziano reluctantly visited Norfolk, Virginia's Sail 250 festival after her mother raved for weeks about seeing the tall ships during the Bicentennial. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Both works follow a family of birds whose homebody father reluctantly agrees to a road trip-esque migration. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reluctantly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctantly

Adverb

In Broad Strokes, Cohen advances her character further toward a new frontier, though gently and hesitantly.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 July 2026
The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.

— Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Definition of hesitantly

Adverb

Two years after his death, and even longer since Missing Richard Simmons forced him unwillingly into the public eye, Diane Sawyer is trying to get to the bottom of why the fitness guru hid inside his house for a decade.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 May 2026
The Ada County Highway District is a gubernatorial signature away from unwillingly adopting a countywide, partisan vote after the Legislature passed an 11th-hour bill to overhaul how the district’s board is elected.

— Mark Dee April 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of unwillingly

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reluctant

reluctantly

rely

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“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctantly. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reluctantly

adverb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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