reluctant
adjective
Synonyms
- cagey
- cagy
- disinclined
- dubious
- hesitant
- indisposed
- loath
- loth
- loathe
- reticent
Example Sentences
Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001 When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, "Brick!" Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994 The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step. Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893 The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852 We were reluctant to get involved. He might agree but seems reluctant to admit it. See More Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 31 Aug. 2022 In other words, Tucker was reluctant to give concrete answers to some of the more pressing questions about his team four days away from their 7 p.m. kickoff against the Broncos (ESPN). Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 30 Aug. 2022 Brands are also reluctant to give up control over the customer experience. Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 29 Aug. 2022 While hybrid work has gained popularity recently, many employers are reluctant to give up the war for full-time attendance. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 McEntee confirmed that Trump was reluctant to give the speech. Mary Clare Jalonick, Anchorage Daily News, 25 July 2022 McEntee confirmed that Trump was reluctant to give the speech. Mary Clare Jalonick, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 McEntee confirmed that Trump was reluctant to give the speech. Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2022 Although older chemotherapy drugs are safe in the second and third trimesters, the safety of the newer and more effective drugs is unknown and doctors are reluctant to give them to pregnant women. New York Times, 23 July 2022 See More Word History
Latin reluctant-, reluctans, present participle of reluctari to struggle against, from re- + luctari to struggle
1638, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
reluctant
adjective
reluctant
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- hesitant
- loath
- loathe
- disinclined
- unwilling
- unsure
- skeptical
- dubious
- reticent
- uncertain
- cagey
- indisposed
- timid
- cagy
- doubtful
- loth
- unenthusiastic
- averse
- ambivalent
- conflicted
- questioning
- faltering
- uneager
- undecided
- irresolute
- vacillating
- halting
- wobbly
- shy
- indecisive
- infirm
- fainthearted
- wabbly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- eager
- inclined
- willing
- happy
- keen
- enthusiastic
- glad
- ready
- decided
- disposed
- sure
- certain
- determined
- resolute
- unquestioning
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of reluctant are averse, disinclined, hesitant, and loath. While all these words mean "lacking the will or desire to do something indicated," reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.
While the synonyms averse and reluctant are close in meaning, averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.
The words disinclined and reluctant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.
Although the words hesitant and reluctant have much in common, hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.
The meanings of loath and reluctant largely overlap; however, loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.