as in hesitant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
I'm reluctant to let you borrow my vintage CDs since you never give back anything I lend you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reluctant
Even within the Senate, Democrats were reluctant to defend Schumer's decision.
—
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Other countries, particularly those closer to the Russian border themselves or those with significant overseas troop deployments, might be reluctant to do something like that.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 10 Mar. 2025
Many Republicans support cuts to government spending in concept, but are reluctant to hurt their local priorities.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Here is another gloomy spaceship, abounding in grim experiments and hostile personalities, with Pattinson once more playing a reluctant space traveller.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Other countries, particularly those closer to the Russian border themselves or those with significant overseas troop deployments, might be reluctant to do something like that.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 10 Mar. 2025
Many Republicans support cuts to government spending in concept, but are reluctant to hurt their local priorities.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Here is another gloomy spaceship, abounding in grim experiments and hostile personalities, with Pattinson once more playing a reluctant space traveller.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reluctant
Articles Related to reluctant
Cite this Entry
“Reluctant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctant. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share