reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s 
1
: the quality or state of being reluctant
2
: the opposition offered in a magnetic circuit to magnetic flux
specifically
: the ratio of the magnetic potential difference to the corresponding flux
Examples of reluctance in a Sentence
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Recent Examples on the Web
Other key party leaders, such as Gov. Hochul, continue to express reluctance about Mamdani.
—
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
Trump's comments mark his latest criticism of Putin for his reluctance to agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire and for Moscow's continuing bombardment of Ukraine.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The show captures that same reluctance to produce staged videos, though it's backdropped by a competitive algorithm that favors the trendy creator.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 8 July 2025
On the other hand, countries like Italy and especially Spain have been castigated for their reluctance to spend.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025
Trump's comments mark his latest criticism of Putin for his reluctance to agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire and for Moscow's continuing bombardment of Ukraine.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The show captures that same reluctance to produce staged videos, though it's backdropped by a competitive algorithm that favors the trendy creator.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 8 July 2025
On the other hand, countries like Italy and especially Spain have been castigated for their reluctance to spend.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s
: the quality or state of being reluctant
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