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
The need led to mostly universal – if often reluctant – support for the tax measure among city leaders, and outspoken support from fire and police departments.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But a coalition of the willing, including the United States, could offer Ukraine a security pledge if NATO members prove reluctant to admit Ukraine.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
As Agatha and Billy gathered a reluctant coven of witches to take them along the Witches’ Road of legend, Agatha took a similar approach.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
The story of that secret anti-Maduro effort also lays bare the tensions between an administration with hardliners laser-focused on deposing the Venezuelan autocrat and a CIA deeply reluctant, yet nevertheless obligated, to follow White House orders.
—Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
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Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But a coalition of the willing, including the United States, could offer Ukraine a security pledge if NATO members prove reluctant to admit Ukraine.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
As Agatha and Billy gathered a reluctant coven of witches to take them along the Witches’ Road of legend, Agatha took a similar approach.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
The story of that secret anti-Maduro effort also lays bare the tensions between an administration with hardliners laser-focused on deposing the Venezuelan autocrat and a CIA deeply reluctant, yet nevertheless obligated, to follow White House orders.
—Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reluctant
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Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctant. Accessed 21 Nov. 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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