as in reluctance
a lack of willingness or desire to do or accept something
your unwillingness to help with the cooking means that you won't be sharing in the eating
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Recent Examples of unwillingness
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
After a meeting between state health officials and Tewksbury officials April 3, the day after the change was announced, those representing Tewksbury felt further frustrated by the state’s unwillingness to pause the change for more discussion.
—Peter Currier, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Consequently, while the consideration of parental gun behaviors is not entirely absent from custody decisions, its relative rarity suggests a deliberate unwillingness to link them with parental fitness considerations.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Dan Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and product officer, told USA TODAY that a weight-loss pill also should help people overcome barriers such as stigma about obesity or unwillingness to get a shot.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But ultimately, Rousseau’s inability—or perhaps even unwillingness—to learn French, was just bad business.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
As in the unwillingness to sell out defensively on a consistent basis.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
When systems fail—whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act—the consequences are not abstract.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
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
After a meeting between state health officials and Tewksbury officials April 3, the day after the change was announced, those representing Tewksbury felt further frustrated by the state’s unwillingness to pause the change for more discussion.
—Peter Currier, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Consequently, while the consideration of parental gun behaviors is not entirely absent from custody decisions, its relative rarity suggests a deliberate unwillingness to link them with parental fitness considerations.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Dan Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and product officer, told USA TODAY that a weight-loss pill also should help people overcome barriers such as stigma about obesity or unwillingness to get a shot.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But ultimately, Rousseau’s inability—or perhaps even unwillingness—to learn French, was just bad business.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
As in the unwillingness to sell out defensively on a consistent basis.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
When systems fail—whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act—the consequences are not abstract.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwillingness
reluctance
Noun
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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
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This reluctance can have real health consequences.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwillingness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwillingness. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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