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
Banks have been reluctant to support crypto and enable transactions to this point in large part because of the government’s position.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025
Both sides have pushed their preferred narratives over nearly three years of fighting, and have been reluctant to disclose or acknowledge setbacks.
—Cassandra Vinograd, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
That’s left people more reluctant to go to cinemas, which is reflected in the steep declines in attendance — a change in behavior that only accelerated during COVID.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The committee and the conference commissioners who oversee officiating have been reluctant to implement rules that would force players who stop play by going down with apparent injuries to sit out multiple ensuing plays or maybe even the rest of a series.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reluctant 
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Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025
Both sides have pushed their preferred narratives over nearly three years of fighting, and have been reluctant to disclose or acknowledge setbacks.
—Cassandra Vinograd, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
That’s left people more reluctant to go to cinemas, which is reflected in the steep declines in attendance — a change in behavior that only accelerated during COVID.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The committee and the conference commissioners who oversee officiating have been reluctant to implement rules that would force players who stop play by going down with apparent injuries to sit out multiple ensuing plays or maybe even the rest of a series.
—Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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