disinclined

adjective

dis·​in·​clined ˌdis-in-ˈklīnd 

: unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval

Synonyms

• cagey
• cagy
• dubious
• hesitant
• indisposed
• loath
• loth
• loathe
• reluctant
• reticent

Choose the Right Synonym for disinclined

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of disinclined in a Sentence

disinclined to pay his friends a visit without calling first

Recent Examples on the Web

Sounds to me like your friend can’t, won’t, or is disinclined to forgive you. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Attorney General Merrick Garland initially seemed disinclined to follow their counsel — but when word leaked out that Garland was considering other contenders, articles slamming them appeared in the Prospect and the Intercept. —Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024

White Sox management has long been thought of as calcified in its strategies, disinclined to make changes, and not evolving with the rest of the sport. —Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024

With the backing of Western powers that felt at once guilty and disinclined to accept the boatloads themselves, the Zionism of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, presented itself as the only viable option. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above