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

He appears reluctant to give Chelsea an easy route out of their agreement.

From BBC

She will be remembered for that hug with Novotná, her dignity and quiet compassion, and as a reluctant royal, who eventually decided that her true path lay in teaching children to love music.

From BBC

Woodhouse, modest and focused on his Chargers responsibilities, was initially reluctant to sit down for an interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Mali asked to be educated at home over Christmas and, despite being reluctant at first, her parents agreed to it.

From BBC

Despite North Korea’s vocal embrace of the so-called “new Cold War” order, Russia and China have been reluctant to do the same, analysts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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