Synonyms of unwillingness

unwillingness

noun

as in reluctance

a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something

your unwillingness to help with the cooking means that you won't be sharing in the eating

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reluctance
• reticence
• hesitancy
• hesitance
• doubt
• disinclination
• skepticism
• hesitation
• indecision
• vacillation
• irresolution
• suspicion
• uncertainty
• wavering
• staggering
• faltering
• distrust
• mistrust
• wobbling
• fence-sitting
• incertitude
• shilly-shallying
• distrustfulness
• mistrustfulness
• uncertainness
• misdoubt
• misgiving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• inclination
• conviction
• certainty
• assurance
• surety
• certitude
• positiveness
• sureness
• assuredness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unwillingness

The article argues that many leaders are 'unqualified' not from lack of credentials, but from an unwillingness to process information that challenges their views. — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

His unwillingness to accept blame sometimes leads him to deny that there are problems at all, and could leave GOP leaders in tight races with little reassurance for voters that their concerns are being addressed. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Others argue that the primary driver of the disconnect is people’s unwillingness to abandon their beliefs in merit – that wealth is the product of hard work, talent and risk. — Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Anthony Volpe had to defend his character after the team’s play-by-play man, Michael Kay, retracted unfounded claims about the shortdtop’s unwillingness to play second base. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Working closely with the extraordinary faculty at Washington College and with partners across the nation, the Hogan Institute is another example of America’s unwillingness to continue its slide toward greater division. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026

The tournament’s special status — its unwillingness to place any person above the sport — is part of why Williams wanted to play singles, not just doubles with her sister Venus, after waffling on the decision. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 June 2026

His unwillingness to back Hilton drew a roundabout rebuke from California Republican Party Chair Corrin Rankin. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Fazio, who voted against a higher minimum wage and other key labor bills, said his absence did not reflect an unwillingness to listen to labor. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026