reluctantly

[ri-luhk-tuhnt-lee]

adverb

1. without really wanting to; unwillingly.

   I told her to take a break, just for one moment, and she reluctantly pulled away from her work.

Other Word Forms

• half-reluctantly adverb
• unreluctantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reluctantly¹

reluctant ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Unlike most politicians, who dress to the nines, Burton wore ties reluctantly and showed up at meetings with governors wearing guayaberas, rarely with his hair in place.

From Los Angeles Times

Under duress, the father reluctantly retrieved the ball from his son and handed it over, much to the shock and dismay of onlookers.

From Salon

Robert is reluctantly handing the estate over to Mary.

From Los Angeles Times

Then her parents, who had been hoping to hang up their ghost-hunting spurs, reluctantly join her for one last ride.

From Los Angeles Times

It was their preferred destination after reluctantly fleeing Afghanistan as violence rapidly escalated after the Taliban took over.

From BBC

Related Words

• carefully 
• cautiously 
• hesitantly www.thesaurus.com
• unwillingly www.thesaurus.com
• warily