as in unwillingness
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
the mice showed an odd reluctance to eat the cheese we had put out for them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reluctance
Every generation faces a new wave of technological disruption and responds with the same blend of overconfidence, short-termism, and reluctance to let go of what’s working.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
And one reason may be their reluctance to give back.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts have noted also that Europe's reluctance to join wars, especially those in the Middle East, has been longstanding and bipartisan.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The article acknowledges that even with formal policies in place, resistance and non-compliance have persisted, noting that colleagues have attempted workarounds or expressed reluctance to accept accountability despite clear consequences.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
And one reason may be their reluctance to give back.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts have noted also that Europe's reluctance to join wars, especially those in the Middle East, has been longstanding and bipartisan.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The article acknowledges that even with formal policies in place, resistance and non-compliance have persisted, noting that colleagues have attempted workarounds or expressed reluctance to accept accountability despite clear consequences.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reluctance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reluctance
Noun
-
The problem with the exhibition is not the works of art on view, but its ambiguous premise, its unwillingness to define its terms and approach the Lost Cause with historical clarity.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The freshman North Side alderman had led the committee for eight months beginning with Burnett’s departure, but since the start of the year showed an increasing unwillingness to continue as interim.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
State data suggests this hesitancy may continue into childhood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite Pickford’s relative hesitancy to engage aerially, Everton have been one of the most effective teams in the league at defending corners, conceding just five goals, the joint third fewest in the Premier League.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Neville hedges his bet by filling us in on Michaels’ spotlight apprehension, making his reticence a through line.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
More recently, the controversial designer John Galliano used the house’s reticence as a refuge to rebuild his reputation after a series of antisemitic rants led to his ouster from French fashion monolith Dior in 2011.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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Shares of McCormick fell 6% in morning trading, while Unilever's stock down 4%, reflecting investors' hesitance about the mega-merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
There’s a bit of bad dream and doubt, and a bit of songwriting tips and tricks.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The same disinclination would normally apply.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Beauty’s at-times reluctance to embrace TikTok Shop as a channel mirrors the industry’s longtime disinclination toward Amazon, an attitude that has shifted in recent years as the e-commerce giant’s beauty business has grown at an incontrovertible clip.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reluctance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reluctance. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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