reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s 
1
: the quality or state of being reluctant
2
: the opposition offered in a magnetic circuit to magnetic flux
specifically
: the ratio of the magnetic potential difference to the corresponding flux
Examples of reluctance in a Sentence
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Recent Examples on the Web
The two had been arguing just a few hours earlier over Sweeney’s reluctance to do chores around the house, his grandfather told police.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
But Parikh says one of the biggest overarching challenges is the persistent stigma and reluctance to discuss this part of the body.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
After a brief separation in 2007 owing to William's reluctance to commit, the two reconciled, became engaged in 2010 and got married in an awe-inspiring wedding spectacle held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Touching on both, this memoir beautifully conveys the haunting presence of an estranged relative and the blurry line between longing and reluctance toward reconnection.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
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.
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
But Parikh says one of the biggest overarching challenges is the persistent stigma and reluctance to discuss this part of the body.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
After a brief separation in 2007 owing to William's reluctance to commit, the two reconciled, became engaged in 2010 and got married in an awe-inspiring wedding spectacle held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Touching on both, this memoir beautifully conveys the haunting presence of an estranged relative and the blurry line between longing and reluctance toward reconnection.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reluctance
noun
re·luc·tance
ri-ˈlək-tən(t)s
: the quality or state of being reluctant
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
