reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt 
Synonyms
Examples of reluctant in a Sentence
94% of the butterflies are females, and they jostle for the attention of the few males, who seem reluctant suitors.
—
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
As a result of these operational headaches, many organizations are reluctant to patch software in a timely manner.
—Austin Gadient, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
While late-stage startups have been reluctant to take the public market leap, investors are showing a growing appetite for tech.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
This was partly because of the difficulties of getting a permit to shoot in Mecca but also because Warner Bros. was reluctant to fund a Saudi shoot.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024
Other big distributors have been reluctant to carry its programming, and OAN has urged people to stream the network online instead.
—Kristen Holmes, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reluctant 
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Austin Gadient, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
While late-stage startups have been reluctant to take the public market leap, investors are showing a growing appetite for tech.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
This was partly because of the difficulties of getting a permit to shoot in Mecca but also because Warner Bros. was reluctant to fund a Saudi shoot.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024
Other big distributors have been reluctant to carry its programming, and OAN has urged people to stream the network online instead.
—Kristen Holmes, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reluctant
Articles Related to reluctant
Dictionary Entries Near reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly
adverb
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