reluctant

[ri-luhk-tuhnt]

adjective

1. unwilling; disinclined.

   a reluctant candidate.

   Antonyms: willing

2. struggling in opposition.

reluctant

/ rɪˈlʌktənt /

adjective

1. not eager; unwilling; disinclined

2. archaic,  offering resistance or opposition

Other Word Forms

• reluctantly adverb
• half-reluctant adjective
• unreluctant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reluctant¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin reluctant- (stem of reluctāns ), present participle of reluctārī; reluct, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of reluctant¹

C17: from Latin reluctārī to resist; see _reluct

Synonym Study

Reluctant, loath, averse describe disinclination toward something. Reluctant implies some sort of mental struggle, as between disinclination and sense of duty: reluctant to expel students. Loath describes extreme disinclination: loath to part from a friend. Averse, used with to and a noun or a gerund, describes a long-held dislike or unwillingness, though not a particularly strong feeling: averse to an idea; averse to getting up early.

Example Sentences

Kendra says she was initially reluctant to follow her mom’s advice but she now realizes it’s good to have options.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That comes despite weak sentiment in the industry as uncertainty remains high, and surveys indicating manufacturers are reluctant to replace job leavers and some are considering scaling back staffing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Tice called for MPs to take a more active role in debating the policy, arguing they were reluctant to do so for fear of encroaching on the bank's independence.

Read more on BBC

Both see structural changes in the labor market, but Miran has called for significant rate cuts while Bostic remains reluctant to forecast more than one.

Read more on Barron's

“The fact that McDonnell and his staff are so recalcitrant — and are so reluctant — to do their jobs is shameful.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid 
• averse 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• hesitant 
• loath 
• shy 
• slow 
• squeamish 
• uncertain 
• wary