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 Season 1 of the mystery comedy, inspired by the 1989 horror-comedy film of the same name and set in present-day suburbia, follows a young couple who have reluctantly relocated to the husband’s childhood home. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 Ellen reluctantly returns to Castle Leoch to find her brothers, Colum and Dougal, feuding over how to respond to the call to arms. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, an up-and-coming FBI agent who reluctantly consults imprisoned murderer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to track down a dangerous serial killer. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 Ross's journey began reluctantly, encouraged by her father, with parents fostering internal motivation and valuing effort over winning. — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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

Musashi becomes unwillingly bound to the mystical Oni Gauntlet.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
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

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 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reluctantly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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