reluctantly
adverb
re·luc·tant·ly
ri-ˈlək-tənt-lē 
: in a reluctant manner : with aversion or hesitation
The quiet resolution in his voice penetrated her racing thoughts. Reluctantly she gave him a corner of her attention.—
Elizabeth George Speare
Elizabeth George SpeareHe is about to release 'Thriller,' and today he's agreed, reluctantly, to sit for the Rolling Stone cover.—Gerri Hirshey
Gerri HirsheyKirsti had gone to bed reluctantly, complaining that she wanted to stay up with the others, that she was grownup enough, … that it wasn't fair.—Lois Lowry
Lois LowryExamples of reluctantly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an election, Ralph is voted tribal leader, while Jack and his choir boys reluctantly accept the responsibilities of hunting and keeping the fire — ignited with the help of Piggy’s thick spectacles — going.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
After two different appointments went under, the board reluctantly gave the post of dean to Carmichael.
—Arkansas Online, 2 May 2026
Wright reluctantly acceded to the changes, seeing the book club selection as a crucial opportunity for Black writing and a social and political milestone.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Hitler comes to power; Lajos, by now a regional administrator, reluctantly carries out the Nazis’ orders, consigning the local Jewish population to death; Ilona and her husband flee to America by way of Switzerland.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctantly
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
After two different appointments went under, the board reluctantly gave the post of dean to Carmichael.
—Arkansas Online, 2 May 2026
Wright reluctantly acceded to the changes, seeing the book club selection as a crucial opportunity for Black writing and a social and political milestone.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Hitler comes to power; Lajos, by now a regional administrator, reluctantly carries out the Nazis’ orders, consigning the local Jewish population to death; Ilona and her husband flee to America by way of Switzerland.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctantly
Cite this Entry
“Reluctantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reluctantly. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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