reluctant
[ri-luhk-tuh nt]
- unwilling; disinclined: a reluctant candidate.
- struggling in opposition.
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Origin of reluctant
Synonyms
See more synonyms for reluctant on Thesaurus.com1. 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.
Antonyms
1. willing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for reluctantly
Contemporary Examples
In contrast to so many of those who were drafted, the players did not enter the Vietnam War reluctantly.
She reluctantly agreed to make her grams happy, and participated in the Miss Universe Canada pageant, placing in the top 15.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop DivaMarlow Stern
October 20, 2014
He has reluctantly reconnected with a brother we didn't even know he had in Season 1.
Yatsenyuk has announced that his party will now go into the elections, reluctantly, on a list separate from Poroshenko's.
He is convinced that, in the end, economic reasoning will force Scots to reluctantly reject independence.
Anarchy for the U.K.? British Leaders Panicking Over Scottish Vote for IndependenceNico Hines
September 10, 2014
Historical Examples
Slowly and reluctantly, the sailors took their places, for Robert was a favorite with them.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
The youth sat down as directed, but reluctantly and with diffidence.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
Reluctantly, apathetically, the Leopard Woman's men got to their feet.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
"If you're so set on it, I'll see about your position this afternoon," conceded Martin reluctantly.
DustMr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
Slowly and reluctantly I yielded to the fascinations of Florence Lascelles.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
reluctant
- not eager; unwilling; disinclined
- archaic offering resistance or opposition
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin reluctārī to resist; see reluct
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for reluctantly
reluctant
adj.
"unwilling," 1660s, from Latin reluctantem (nominative reluctans), present participle of reluctari (see reluctance). Related: Reluctantly. Cf. Spanish reluchante, Italian riluttante.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper