loath

adjective

ˈlōth

ˈlōt͟h

variants or less commonly loth

ˈlōth

ˈlōt͟h

or loathe

ˈlōt͟h

ˈlōth

: unwilling to do something contrary to one's ways of thinking : reluctant

She was loath to admit her mistakes.

loathness noun

Did you know?

Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath, the adjective, is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries do record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, but at the same time indicate that the loath spelling is the most common one. The adjective and the verb both hark back to Old English, and the "e" ending in each has come and gone over the centuries—but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb.

Did you know?

Loath vs. Loathe

Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath the adjective is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, at the same time indicating that the spelling with an e is not as common as the form without it. Both words hark back to Old English, and the e ending in each has come and gone over the centuries - but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb.

Example Sentences

She was loath to admit her mistakes. I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest.

Recent Examples on the Web Those that rely on low-cost, high-volume manufacturing have also benefited greatly from China’s logistics and infrastructure and are loath to give that up even in the face of rising uncertainty.

Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022 His efforts to restrict divorce were opposed by both progressive thinkers and those loath to lose the income the practice brought to South Dakota.

Barbara Spindel, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 Gee is loath to turn down visible opportunities to represent women, such as attending student functions.

Katie Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2022 Many scientists are loath to involve themselves in policy debates for fear of losing credibility.

Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2022 And in the context of a nursing shortage, hospital administrations are loath to assign experienced RNs to educational roles rather than care delivery roles—even if the former is the best long-term choice.

Robert Pearl, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Democrats are loath to give Mr. Trump’s tax and regulatory agenda any credit for these outcomes, but the economy performed in the main just as administration officials and supply-side economic modeling predicted.

Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 And owner Arte Moreno is loath to part with such a superstar and marquee gate attraction.

Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 And if snap elections are called before September, members of Parliament in their first terms — many of them first-time politicians loath to return to low-paying jobs — would also lose their right to lucrative pensions.

New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022 See More

loath

adjective

variants also loth or lothe

as in reluctant

slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of loath are averse, disinclined, hesitant, and reluctant. While all these words mean "lacking the will or desire to do something indicated," loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

In some situations, the words averse and loath are roughly equivalent. However, averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

The synonyms disinclined and loath are sometimes interchangeable, but disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

While in some cases nearly identical to loath, hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

While the synonyms reluctant and loath are close in meaning, reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

单词	loath
释义	loath adjective ˈlōth ˈlōt͟h variants or less commonly loth ˈlōth ˈlōt͟h or loathe ˈlōt͟h ˈlōth : unwilling to do something contrary to one's ways of thinking : reluctant She was loath to admit her mistakes. loathness noun Did you know? Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath, the adjective, is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries do record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, but at the same time indicate that the loath spelling is the most common one. The adjective and the verb both hark back to Old English, and the "e" ending in each has come and gone over the centuries—but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb. Did you know? Loath vs. Loathe Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath the adjective is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, at the same time indicating that the spelling with an e is not as common as the form without it. Both words hark back to Old English, and the e ending in each has come and gone over the centuries - but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb. Synonyms cagey cagy disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed reluctant reticent See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences She was loath to admit her mistakes. I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest. Recent Examples on the Web Those that rely on low-cost, high-volume manufacturing have also benefited greatly from China’s logistics and infrastructure and are loath to give that up even in the face of rising uncertainty. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2022 His efforts to restrict divorce were opposed by both progressive thinkers and those loath to lose the income the practice brought to South Dakota. Barbara Spindel, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 Gee is loath to turn down visible opportunities to represent women, such as attending student functions. Katie Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2022 Many scientists are loath to involve themselves in policy debates for fear of losing credibility. Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2022 And in the context of a nursing shortage, hospital administrations are loath to assign experienced RNs to educational roles rather than care delivery roles—even if the former is the best long-term choice. Robert Pearl, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Democrats are loath to give Mr. Trump’s tax and regulatory agenda any credit for these outcomes, but the economy performed in the main just as administration officials and supply-side economic modeling predicted. Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 And owner Arte Moreno is loath to part with such a superstar and marquee gate attraction. Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 And if snap elections are called before September, members of Parliament in their first terms — many of them first-time politicians loath to return to low-paying jobs — would also lose their right to lucrative pensions. New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English loth loathsome, from Old English lāth; akin to Old High German leid loathsome, Old Irish lius loathing First Known Use 12th century, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition loath adjective variants also loth ˈlōth, ˈlōt͟h : not willing He was loath to admit mistakes. loath adjective variants also loth or lothe as in reluctant slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance reluctant hesitant unwilling disinclined reticent cagey cagy averse indisposed dubious ambivalent unenthusiastic unsure conflicted uneager questioning uncertain skeptical timid halting faltering irresolute vacillating doubtful wobbly undecided indecisive infirm fainthearted wabbly shy Antonyms & Near Antonyms inclined eager willing glad happy keen ready disposed enthusiastic decided sure certain determined resolute unquestioning See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of loath are averse, disinclined, hesitant, and reluctant. While all these words mean "lacking the will or desire to do something indicated," loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking. seems loath to trust anyone In some situations, the words averse and loath are roughly equivalent. However, averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance. averse to hard work not averse to an occasional drink The synonyms disinclined and loath are sometimes interchangeable, but disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination. disinclined to move again disinclined for reading While in some cases nearly identical to loath, hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty. hesitant about asking for a date While the synonyms reluctant and loath are close in meaning, reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness. a reluctant witness
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loath

adjective

Did you know?

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser