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
But there is still hope among nine-game advocates that television money will come through and move the reluctant to agree to expand.
—The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
That reluctant to juice demand is exemplified by a wide gap in fiscal policies, namely the willingness to spend more than what comes in from tax revenue.
—Byjason Ma, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2025
The Europeans are reluctant as that would require too many troops.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency has clearly failed to enforce Federal Clean Water Act requirements and force reluctant Chesapeake Bay states to meet their obligations to reduce pollutants where agricultural nutrients and sediment are concerned.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
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The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
That reluctant to juice demand is exemplified by a wide gap in fiscal policies, namely the willingness to spend more than what comes in from tax revenue.
—Byjason Ma, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2025
The Europeans are reluctant as that would require too many troops.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency has clearly failed to enforce Federal Clean Water Act requirements and force reluctant Chesapeake Bay states to meet their obligations to reduce pollutants where agricultural nutrients and sediment are concerned.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reluctant
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Dictionary Entries Near reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctant
adjective
re·luc·tant
ri-ˈlək-tənt
: showing doubt or unwillingness
reluctant to answer
reluctantly
adverb
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