reluctance

Sometimes re·luc·tan·cy

[ri-luhk-tuhns]

noun

1. unwillingness; disinclination.

   reluctance to speak in public.

2. Electricity.,  the resistance to magnetic flux offered by a magnetic circuit, determined by the permeability and arrangement of the materials of the circuit.

reluctance

/ rɪˈlʌktəns /

noun

1. lack of eagerness or willingness; disinclination

2. physics a measure of the resistance of a closed magnetic circuit to a magnetic flux, equal to the ratio of the magnetomotive force to the magnetic flux

Other Word Forms

• prereluctance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reluctance¹

First recorded in 1635–45; reluct(ant) + -ance

Example Sentences

Besides Williams, the four other voting presidents have signaled either opposition or reluctance to cutting rates at the Dec. 9-10 meeting.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But some Fed members have recently expressed a reluctance to lower rates.

Read more on Barron's

But some Fed members have recently expressed a reluctance to lower rates.

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To this point of the offseason, of course, the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to add more lucrative, long-term, free-agent contracts to their steadily aging core.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"There was a reluctance to think we were slipping back into some kind of Cold War," he says.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• hesitancy 
• hesitation 
• objection 
• unwillingness www.thesaurus.com